Growth of a malignant tumour in the large intestine.
Risk factors include polyps in the colon, presence of another cancer, a family history of colorectal cancer, smoking, inflammatory bowel diseases, a diet rich in protein and poor in fibre, sedentary lifestyle, viral infection due to human papillomavirus, etc. It usually appears between the age of 50 to 60 years old.
Its manifestations are progressive, with few symptoms. The most common ones are gastrointestinal bleeding, changes in the characteristics of the stools, weight loss, and abdominal pain.
It is diagnosed through a detailed clinical history and physical examination which includes a digital rectal examination. The study will be completed with a faecal occult blood test, colonoscopy, a barium study, CT-scan and/or an MRI.
Treatment is surgical and, depending on each case, it can go alongside chemotherapy.
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