Metastasis to the intestine

In the last few decades, the incidence of bowel cancer has increased several times. Bowel cancer most often affects older people; according to statistics, the average age of patients diagnosed with this disease is over 50.

Scientists have not yet given a definitive answer to the question "What provokes bowel cancer and metastases?" But those risk factors that can lead to oncological bowel diseases are known. The first such factor is nutrition. It is known that certain foods, such as meat and animal fats, contain very little natural fiber. This slows down the movement of decay products through the intestines. Sometimes substances that cause cancer are part of foods or are produced in the body. Due to the slow movement of intestinal contents, such substances act on the intestinal walls for too long, which can cause bowel cancer and metastases. Also, the occurrence of this disease can be influenced by other bowel diseases that last too long or are chronic. In addition, it has been proven that anal sex can also provoke some factors of bowel dysfunction, which subsequently lead to neoplasms.

Colon cancer progresses quite slowly – the tumor grows up and down the rectum for about two years before it spreads to the entire intestinal cavity. Then the tumor affects nearby organs and bones. Metastases are carried to internal organs by blood and lymph. As a rule, colon cancer “distributes” metastases to the liver, lungs and nearby lymph nodes.

There are four stages of bowel cancer, depending on the severity of the disease:

1. At the first stage there are no metastases, the tumor is small in size (no more than two centimeters) and affects the intestinal mucosa.
2. At the second stage, the tumor size reaches five centimeters, the tumor does not spread beyond the intestines. There are no metastases or there are single metastases in nearby lymph nodes.
3. The third stage is characterized by a tumor size of more than five centimeters, which crosses the intestinal wall and begins to spread beyond it. There are numerous metastases in the area of nearby lymph nodes.
4. The fourth and most severe stage is characterized by extensive static tumor that has spread to all organ systems, tissues and bones of the pelvis. There are numerous metastases to the area of nearby lymph nodes and distant metastases to other organ systems.

There are a number of signs that may indicate the presence of a cancerous tumor in the intestine. These are symptoms such as atypical discharge from the anus with blood, mucous substances and pus, discomfort in the rectum and intestinal dysfunction (constipation or diarrhea), pain during bowel movements. Such symptoms do not always indicate cancer, but to clarify the situation and establish an accurate diagnosis with such manifestations, you should consult a doctor to confirm or exclude the presence of oncology.

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Colon cancer and liver metastases

According to statistics, colon cancer most often metastasizes to the liver. Metastases are "daughter" formations of each malignant tumor. They are formed due to the spread of tumor cells throughout the body through transport fluids, such as lymph or blood. The fact that the tumor most often affects the liver with metastases is not accidental and is due to the physiological characteristics of this organ. The fact is that the liver's task is detoxification, so almost all the blood that circulates in the body passes through the liver. Thus, the liver passes through itself up to two liters of blood per minute. Metastases in this organ significantly disrupt its function and slow down the liver. After all, in addition to detoxification, the liver performs several more complex biochemical processes in the body. Metastases also worsen the general condition and cause pain syndrome, which completely disrupts a person's vital activity. Colon cancer and metastases to the liver are currently amenable to drug and surgical treatment. Unfortunately, a full-fledged cure for cancer has not yet been created, but modern medical drugs significantly alleviate the general condition of a person and can prolong the patient's life for a fairly long period of time. Colon cancer and liver metastases, in addition to the destructive effect on the affected organs, cause a number of complications. Such complications can be the compression of some important veins, which can cause a disease such as mechanical jaundice. In addition to the harm caused to the body, mechanical jaundice blocks the possibility of treating the underlying disease.

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Colon cancer and lung metastases

Oncology specialists claim that the key to recovery from a diagnosis of "colon cancer and lung metastases" is timely medical attention. Unfortunately, most patients seek medical help at late stages of the disease, as the disease is delicate. But this significantly complicates treatment and a favorable outcome. Doctors recommend regular preventive check-ups, even in the absence of characteristic symptoms. It is also very important to take the choice of examination methods seriously. Today, there is no unanimous system of examination and diagnosis in the global medical community.

Because statistically colon cancer metastasizes to the liver more often, both patients and doctors overlook the importance of a full body check. Meanwhile, the second most common site of metastasis in colon cancer is the lungs. However, lung research receives unjustifiably little attention. There is an alternative viewpoint among doctors who believe that colon cancer metastasizes to the lungs much more often than to any other organ.

British scientists who conducted statistical research on the topic of "bowel cancer and lung metastases" published the following results. Thus, among one hundred percent of the patients studied, after a certain treatment, 25% had progression of the disease. 19% of these patients were diagnosed with metastases to the lungs. The remaining 6% of cases were characterized by metastases to other organs and systems of the body. These data indicate the need for more accurate lung examinations in cases of bowel cancer diagnosis. The most preferred method of examination in such cases is computed tomography.

Everyone knows that cancer is a very scary diagnosis in today's world and causes psychological trauma to a person, perhaps comparable to physical damage. During this difficult period of life, patients may simply not pay attention to the insufficient examination of the body, be too tired of endless diagnostics, treatments and doctors, or simply not know about the necessity of a thorough examination of the respiratory tract. However, this has a very high degree of importance, as it can often cost even life. During the same study, it was determined that among all patients with metastases in the lungs, after a full examination and treatment for at least three years, no signs of disease progression were observed.

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Colon cancer with metastases

The colon is the last section of the gastrointestinal tract. Among the cases of oncological diseases of the digestive tract, colon cancer with metastases ranks third in frequency. The average age of this disease is from 45 to 60 years. The number of patients with such a diagnosis is not differentiated by gender - both men and women get sick with the same frequency. Recently, doctors are increasingly inclined to think that one of the main causes of oncological formations in the intestine is a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition. It is generally accepted that colon cancer with metastases is most often detected in people whose diet consists mainly of animal fats, while with minimal consumption of foods containing vegetable fiber. The appearance of colon cancer is directly related to the location of the tumor in the intestine and the stage of the disease. Since the tumor does not manifest itself in any way at first after its appearance, people seek medical help, as a rule, in the late stages of the disease. Timely diagnosis and contact with doctors significantly facilitate and speed up the treatment process.

It is worth noting that genetic predisposition plays an important role in the causes of colon cancer. Every person who has had cancer or colon diseases in their family has a high risk of developing a similar disease. People who have inflammatory bowel disease or ulcerative colitis also have a high risk of developing the disease. Although statistically this group of people is the least susceptible to the disease compared to others. In most cases, colon cancer with metastases develops spontaneously. Despite the fact that many factors have been identified that are associated with this disease, such as poor diet or excessive alcohol consumption over a long period of time, or heredity, the exact causes of the disease have not been established and scientists around the world are actively working on this issue.

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Symptoms of intestinal metastases

Oncological diseases of the intestine develop relatively slowly, therefore for a fairly long period of time they do not manifest themselves with any symptoms. Symptoms of metastases in the intestine can be completely different depending on their location in the intestine and the degree of damage to the organ. There are such symptoms of metastases in the intestine:

• The release of a certain amount of blood along with the contents of the intestine. This most often becomes clearly noticeable in the last stages of cancer. At first, the amount of blood is so small that it simply cannot be noticed. Regardless of the fact that the presence of bloody discharge in the stool may indicate a number of other diseases, when this symptom is detected, it is recommended to seek advice from a specialist as soon as possible. This is especially true for elderly people.
• Constant digestive problems and discomfort in the abdomen. These can be various symptoms, such as severe and frequent flatulence, chronic pain syndrome in the abdomen, rumbling or a very distinct feeling of “some processes” occurring in the abdomen. It is typical that the most common complaint during primary diagnostics sounds exactly like this: “a feeling as if something is constantly happening in the abdomen.” It is important to remember that with a normal health indicator, a person should not feel any processes occurring in the body too clearly.
• Intestinal disorder. This can manifest itself as constipation that does not go away after changing the diet and taking medications, or as diarrhea.
• A feeling of incomplete bowel movement after a bowel movement.
• In cases where there is a large tumor, there may be a strong increase in the size of the abdomen or an obvious bulge in one place in the abdominal cavity. These symptoms should not be confused with normal obesity or an increase in weight and body volume. In cases where there is a tumor, the enlarged abdomen becomes and looks disproportionate.
• General weakness, asthenic syndrome, sudden weight loss, problems with appetite, nausea or vomiting, slight increase in temperature, which have no other apparent causes.
• Sudden onset of jaundice may signal that cancer has spread to the liver or gallbladder.
• In more severe cases, there is a tendency to develop intestinal obstruction. This is explained by the fact that the large size of the cancerous tumor forms a blockage in the intestinal cavity and the processed masses cannot freely move to the exit. Because of this, there is an accumulation of feces in one place of the intestine, which ultimately provokes significant stretching (and sometimes rupture) of the walls of the colon. Such a symptom as intestinal obstruction can also be characterized by a long absence of feces and gas secretions, very strong pain symptoms in the abdominal cavity, malnutrition, severe nausea and vomiting, critically intolerable bloating. It is worth remembering that intestinal obstruction is acutely life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Doctors insist that all people, especially those over 45 years of age, who have intestinal obstruction or symptoms suggesting it without any apparent cause, should be immediately examined for the presence of oncological formations in the intestinal cavity.

Diagnosis of intestinal metastases

If there is at least one symptom from the above, which may indicate the presence of oncological formations in the intestinal area, you should contact a medical institution as soon as possible. To conduct diagnostics and establish an accurate diagnosis. There are several diagnostic methods in such cases.

Primary diagnostics of intestinal metastases is a stool test for the presence of blood elements, since the presence of blood is one of the earliest signs of the disease. With the help of such an analysis, even very small amounts of blood can be diagnosed, which occur at the earliest stages of the disease. For those people who, for whatever reason, have an increased risk of cancer, doctors recommend regularly taking such a test, especially after the age of 45.

There is also such a diagnostic of metastases in the intestine as a digital examination. This examination allows to determine the presence of a tumor in the last sections of the rectum. This examination consists of the doctor checking the inner surface of the intestine with a finger. This is also one of the simplest methods of examination and it makes it possible to determine the tumor if it is located near the anus. Despite the fact that many patients consider this method difficult or unacceptable due to the moral side of the issue, a digital examination is really gentle and simple compared to other more rigorous methods.

A study by inserting a flexible tube into the intestine through the anus is called sigmoidoscopy. It is also a method for diagnosing cancerous growths in the lower intestine. Using this tube, the doctor examines the internal surfaces of the mucous membranes for the presence of negative growths.

Another diagnostic method allows you to examine almost the entire intestinal cavity, as well as take tissue samples for more detailed analysis. This method involves the doctor examining the intestines by inserting a flexible optical device through the anus and can observe almost the entire mucous membrane for negative changes.

Computer tomography also allows diagnosing oncological formations in the intestinal cavity. This diagnostic method consists of the patient being given a special medical solution to drink, which envelops the internal cavity of the intestine, and then a special gas is introduced into the intestinal space so that the walls of the organ straighten out and a detailed image can be displayed on the monitor and the cavity of the organ can be carefully examined for foreign formations.

A biopsy is mandatory to be able to examine the tissues and identify the presence or absence of cancer cells. If the diagnosis is confirmed after a biopsy, a number of additional diagnostic methods are prescribed, such as an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs and abdominal area, fluorography or chest X-ray, and others.

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Treatment of intestinal metastases

Today, the most common method of treating intestinal metastases is surgical treatment. The purpose of such treatment is to remove the tumor and damaged tissue around it. Also, by means of this operation, the lymph nodes located near the lesion are most often removed, since it is in them that cancer cells spread. If after the operation it is not possible to connect the two ends of the operated intestine, then a method such as colostomy is used. Its essence lies in the fact that the open end of the intestine is brought to the surface of the skin on the abdomen and a colostomy bag is attached to it. In most cases, such a measure is temporary and after some time the patient undergoes a second surgery in order to naturally connect the intestine. But if such an operation cannot be done for some reason, this method remains permanent. Modern methods of treatment have nevertheless made it possible to improve surgical techniques in the medical solution of the issue of intestinal cancer.

Treatment of intestinal metastases is increasingly carried out without resorting to colostomy, as such a gentle type of surgical intervention as laparoscopy has appeared. This method allows for the operation to be performed with the least tissue trauma, as the surgeon only needs to make a few small pinpoint incisions or punctures, which ensures rapid recovery after surgery and does not disrupt the functioning of the anal sphincter. Often, after surgical treatment of intestinal metastases, men complain of loss of erectile function. This is due to the fact that during surgery, nerve endings located in the pelvic area, which are responsible for sexual function, are affected or damaged.

Today's surgical methods allow us to avoid these problems, and even if this happens, sexual function is fully restored over time. In extreme cases, the doctor prescribes a special course of treatment that helps solve sexual problems and restore the normal healthy potential of a man.

Prognosis of intestinal metastases

The prognosis of intestinal metastases directly depends on the severity and stage of the disease. So, at the first stage, there is a very high probability that the disease tends to be cured. But unfortunately, in a fairly large number of patients, intestinal oncology is diagnosed at later stages of development. In general, thanks to timely surgical intervention in combination with such types of therapy as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, about 50% of all patients are cured. As world statistics show, these indicators tend to constantly increase. But the highest indicator can certainly be achieved only if we have the earliest possible diagnosis. If we consider the statistics of those patients whose tumor has spread only to the intestinal cavity, but has not spread beyond it, then the number of cases of cure is a very high percentage, on average about 86%. Among those patients who have spread beyond the intestinal area, but without the spread of disease cells to other organs, and if the lymph nodes remain intact, the percentage of cure cases is more than 70% of cases. In patients with more complex cases of the disease, the percentage of cure cases is in the range of 20-40%. The likelihood of a favorable outcome in this group of patients is significantly increased by the use of such a treatment method as adjuvant therapy. The group of patients who seek medical care at the last stage of the disease or with serious complications are recommended to use chemotherapy as a treatment, as it helps to reduce the size of the tumor, significantly alleviate the symptoms and negative manifestations of the disease and, in most cases, significantly prolong life with an increase in its quality.

Thus, the prognosis of intestinal metastases shows that with timely medical attention, the disease tends to be cured. It is important to remember that the sooner treatment begins, the greater the likelihood of a favorable outcome.