PET/CT & Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is cancer of either the colon or the rectum and is the third most common cancer in both men and women. Colorectal cancer usually grows slowly usually starting as polyps, which often take years to transform into cancer.

The colon and rectum are parts of the body’s digestive system. The colon and the rectum form a long tube called the large intestine, with the colon being the first 6 feet of the large intestine, and the rectum makes up the last 8 to 10 inches.

After food is completely digested, it goes into the colon and this organ absorbs all of the extra water from the digested food. The waste that remains, called stool, leaves the body through the rectum.

Some people are more prone to colorectal cancer and those higher at risk may have or experience some of the following conditions that make them more susceptible:

• Age

Colorectal cancer is more common in people over age 65.

• Bowel habits

People whose stool spends a longer time in the bowel can be more at risk of developing colorectal cancer.

• Diet

People who eat foods high in calories and certain fats develop colorectal cancer more often than those who do not eat these foods.

• Family history

People whose immediate family has had colorectal cancer are more likely to get colorectal cancer, especially if their relative had the cancer at a young age.

• Lifestyle

People who do not work out frequently are more liable to get colorectal cancer.

• Personal history

Ovarian, uterine, or breast cancer survivors are more likely to get colorectal cancer.

• Ulcerative colitis

A person with Ulcerative colitis (the inflammation of the colon lining) has a higher risk of getting colorectal cancer.