Our Medical Experts
Max Healthcare is home to 4800+ eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Find a Doctor
Colorectal Cancer Treatment in Delhi, India
Overview
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of cancer that develops in the colon or rectum. Colon (large intestine) starts in the right side of the abdomen after the last part of the small intestine (ileum) and ends at the junction with the rectum. The rectum is the last part of the intestine, and it ends in the anal canal. Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in men and 2nd most common cancer in women worldwide. It is also the 10th most common cancer in India.
Colorectal Cancer Symptoms
Many patients either do not have specific symptoms until very late or have non-specific symptoms which they attribute to normal variation in lifestyle and keep ignoring them. However, the essential signs and symptoms are:
- Bleeding from the rectum - the most common symptom found in 60% of patients. It is often mixed with mucous/stool.
- Altered bowel habits - constipation and/or diarrhea
- Feeling gas pains, bloating, fullness or abdominal cramps
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue Lump in the abdomen
- Change in bowel habits
- Stool that is narrower than usual
- Black stools
Emergency symptoms of severe abdominal pain, abdominal distension and constipation are seen in patients with obstruction or perforation of the intestine due to cancer. One must remember, however, that each of these symptoms may be found in benign conditions as well.
Causes of Colorectal Cancer
Development of colorectal cancer cannot be attributed to any single factor. There are certain risk factors which increase its chances of occurrence. These include:
- Age: It is more common in older people (50 and above).
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Previous history of colon polyps or cancer
- Family History - Conditions like Familial Adenomatous Polyposis(FAP), Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC), etc.
- Personal history of colon, ovarian cancer, endometrium or breast cancer
- History of ulcerative colitis for more than 8-10 years
However, patients may develop these cancers even without any of these risk factors being present.
Expertise to Treat Colorectal Cancer
Max Institute of Cancer Care (MICC) is one of the leading facilities in India, which offers the latest treatments under surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. It is one of the largest chain of Cancer Centres in North India, with presence in Saket, Patparganj, Shalimar Bagh, Vaishali, Mohali and Bathinda. The centres are highly efficient and offer specialized and dedicated daycare with all significant sub-specialities and privacy to cancer patients.
With over 100 oncologists, Max Institute of Cancer Care provides world-class treatment facilities and focused care to cure various types of oncological diseases. The doctors treat people with cancer of the colorectal as well as cancer of esophagus, small bowels, hepatobiliary system, pancreas, area, intrabdominal tumors and masses, and splenic and gastrointestinal cancer. The facility has the best colorectal cancer specialists.
Max Institute of Cancer Care has a DMG for colorectal cancer which consists of a team of gastroenterologists, surgical oncologists, colorectal surgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists. This team specializes in treating the colorectal cancer with surgery, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. Our holistic cancer care includes the following:
- Adherence to the latest international cancer treatment protocols
- Superior cancer treatment technology: Max Institute of Cancer Care is the first facility in Northern India to acquire Novalis Tx for IMRT/IGRT, Radiosurgery, SRS/5RT. Other technologies at our disposal include Da Vinci XI Robotic System and Linear Accelerator (LINAC).
- Complete cancer care: Right from cancer screening, early detection, multidisciplinary treatment to rehabilitation.
- Dedicated daycare chemotherapy centres outside the hospital or in separate areas with chemo chairs-and-recliners, patient beds, a library, TV sets, and iPads are provided to take patients’ minds off from the treatment.
- A wider range of medical resources to draw from, with our multi-super speciality backups.
Positive Approach Towards Colorectal Cancer Treatment
There are different types of rectal cancer, depending on the type of cell/tissue from which the tumour is arising. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type. Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), lymphoma and leiomyoma are less common. We use the following tests and procedures to diagnose & provide colorectal cancer treatment in india:
- Endoscopy
- Blood tests
- Biopsy
- Imaging tests - Computerized Tomography Scan (CT Scan) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI Scan)
- Endorectal ultrasound
- Stool for occult blood
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
Tumor Board
Additionally, there is a constant cross chat between the various specialities at the respective Colorectal Disease Management Group (DMG) Tumour Board meeting. The main motive behind which is to make the best skills available to patients.
Meetings are held once a week to discuss the situation with patients and arrive at the best possible management for the patient. The surgical, medical and radiation specialists of the respective DMG along with the pathologists, radiologist and molecular oncologists attend these meetings. Discussion involves planning a procedure tailored to the patient according to the extent of the disease.
After completion of treatment, a patient is required to visit their respective oncologist every three months for the first two years, every six months for the next three years and yearly after that. At each visit, their doctor will perform a clinical examination and order specific blood tests (CEA, LFT - liver function tests), radiologic investigations (CT Scan, Ultrasound, PET Scan) and colonoscopy.
Colorectal Cancer Treatment
Max Institute of Cancer Care is equipped with cutting-edge technology with which our team of oncology experts offer holistic care to patients. When it comes to treating colorectal cancer, our treatment options include the following: These may be offered singly, sequentially or in combination, depending on the stage and type of the cancer.
Surgery (Open, Laparoscopic or Robot-Assisted)
Surgery is the most common modality employed in treating colorectal cancer. It is effective in curing the disease at an early stage. Surgical removal involves complete removal of the tumour along with a healthy margin of the intestine and surrounding lymph nodes.
- For colon cancer: Surgery involves removal of the part of the colon (right colon, left colon, transverse colon or sigmoid colon).
- For rectal cancer: Majority of rectal cancer patients receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy as the first treatment. Surgery is carried out after 6-8 weeks of radiation. Some patients with very early symptoms of the disease can undergo surgery initially. In patients where the cancer is at the last part of rectum and anus, a part of the intestine is brought out directly from the skin (stoma) and is removed temporarily (ileostomy) or permanently (colostomy).
- For spread of cancer to liver or lung: In such cases, cancer can still be cured if the tumour can be removed from the liver or lung. These surgeries can be performed by traditional open method (laparotomy) or with laparoscopic surgery or robotic surgery (minimally invasive approach).
Patients may also require chemotherapy and radiation therapy depending upon the stage of tumour and the general health. Chemotherapy is an important consideration post-operatively in colonic cancer as well as in metastatic disease. It also should be considered in colorectal cancer, both pre-operatively and post-operatively.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is treatment with anticancer drugs which can be given intravenously or in tablet form to kill the tumour cells in the body.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy aims to kill the tumour cells by high energy x-rays or gamma rays. Usually, it is used in combination with chemotherapy.
FAQs
- What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer affects parts of the large intestine- colon or rectum. It develops when abnormal cells in the colon or rectum begin to divide out of control. - What is a polyp?
A polyp is a tiny growth that can occur in the colon or rectum. Certain types of these polyps (especially adenomatous polyps) can develop into colorectal cancer over a variable period of time, which is why they are often removed during a colonoscopy. - What are the screening tests for detecting colorectal cancer?
Screening options for detecting colorectal cancer include colonoscopy, faecal occult blood tests, and stool DNA tests. - What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
Symptoms of colorectal cancer include changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain or discomfort, rectal bleeding, and unexplained weight loss. - What are the complications of colorectal cancer?
Complications of colorectal cancer can include bowel obstruction, perforation of the bowel, bleeding, and the spread of cancer to other body parts. - How is colorectal cancer diagnosed?
Colorectal cancer can be diagnosed through various tests, including a colonoscopy, imaging tests like CT scans and MRIs, and biopsies of suspicious tissue. - What are the stages of colorectal cancer?
The stages of colorectal cancer range from 0 to IV, with higher numbers indicating more advanced stages that involve larger tumours and more distant spread to other parts of the body. - How long is the recovery period after colorectal cancer treatment?
The recovery period after colorectal cancer treatment depends on the type and extent of treatment but may take several weeks or months. - Is there a link between obesity and colorectal cancer?
Obesity is one of the risk factors for colorectal cancer, as excess body fat may lead to inflammation and insulin resistance, which can promote the development of cancer. - Can colorectal cancer cause anaemia?
Colorectal cancer can cause anaemia if it causes bleeding in the intestine, leading to a loss of red blood cells. - Can colorectal cancer cause weight loss?
Colorectal cancer can cause weight loss if it leads to a loss of appetite or if cancer spreads to other parts of the body and affects metabolism. - How often should a person get screened for colorectal cancer?
People with a risk of colorectal cancer begin regular screenings at the age of 45, and those with a higher risk may need to start earlier and get more frequent screenings.
Review
FAQs reviewed by Dr. Vivek Mangla, Director, Gastrointestinal and Hepatopancreatobiliary (GI & HPB) Surgical Oncology.
Related Blogs
Related Videos
Other Conditions & Treatments
Get Second Opinion
Our Medical Experts
Max Healthcare is home to 4800+ eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
