Friday, 19 August 2011

Causes Of Colorectal Cancer

In most cases, it is not clear what causes colon cancer. Physicians know that colon cancer occurs when healthy cells in the colon is altered. Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way to keep your body functioning normally. But sometimes this growth gets out of control - cells continue dividing even when new cells are not necessary. In the colon and rectum, this exaggerated growth may cause precancerous cells to form in the lining of the intestine. Over a longer period of time - up to several years - some of these areas of abnormal cells can become cancerous.

Cancer, colon cancer

Colon cancer usually begins as clusters of precancerous cells (polyps) in the lining of the colon. Polyps can appear as fungus. Precancerous growths may be flat or recessed into the wall of the colon (polypoid lesions). Removal of polyps and polypoid lesions before they become cancerous can prevent colon cancer.

Inherited genetic mutations that increase the risk of colon cancer

Genetic mutations that increase the risk of colon cancer can be passed from parents to children, but these are the genes they have inherited only a small percentage of colon cancers. Genetic mutations are not inherited cancer inevitable, but may increase the risk of an individual with cancer significantly. Inherited syndromes of colon cancer are:

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). FAP is a rare disease that causes thousands of polyps develop in the lining of the colon and rectum. People with untreated FAP have significantly increased risk of developing colorectal cancer before 40 years of age.

Colorectal cancer hereditary nonpolyposis (HNPCC). HNPCC, also known as Lynch syndrome, increases the risk of colon cancer and other cancers. People with HNPCC tend to develop colon cancer before 50 years of age.

Both FAP and HNPCC can be detected by genetic testing. If you are concerned about their family history of colon cancer, talk to your doctor about whether family history suggests you have a risk of these diseases.

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