CENTRAL SYDNEY COLORECTAL SURGEONS

About Central Sy dney colorectal surgeons.

Central Sydney colorectal surgeons are well trained and com m itted to the diagnosis and treatm ent of y our
colorectal condition. The surgeons consult from Roy al Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) Medical Centre, and if
required organise procedur es at RPAH and Sy dney Day Surgery .
What is colorectal cancer?
Colon or colorectal or bowel cancer is the abnormal growth of cancer cells in the large intestine. If is not properly
treated it can spread to other parts of body causing serious threat to life.
Colon and rectal cancer are often grouped together because they have many features in com m on. Cancer starts
when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can becom e cancer, and
can spread to other areas of the body .

How com m on is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer (bowel cancer ) is a v ery com m on cancer in Australia. It affects about 1 in 2 0 persons in
Australia. Colorectal cancer becom es m ore com m on with age.
Most patients with colorectal cancer develop the condition between 55 and 75 years of age. Men and wom en are
equally affected although cancers of the rectum oc cur m ore frequently in m en.

Risk factors
Age: As y ou get aged y our body grows weak. Colorectal cancer is com m on am ong elderly folks .
Wrong habits: The habits of consum ing alcohol and sm oking can get y ou bowel cancer.
Wrong diet: Following diets with high animal protein (red m eat), saturated fat, high calories and low fiber can be
one am ong the cause.
Hereditary: It can be hereditary as well. If anyone in your family has colorectal cancer there is a chance that y ou
m ay hav e it in future.
Lack of exercise: An inactive body is a powerhouse of diseases. Such people can even get bowel cancer. Obesity is
also noticed as cause for bowel cancer.

Colorectal cancer signs

change in bowel habits

Rectal bleeding
Blood in the stool, which m ay m ake it look dark
Abdom inal (belly ) pain
Weakness and fatigue
Weight loss

T ests for Colorectal cancer:

Most patients with a colorectal cancer will require several tests to confirm the diagnosis of cancer and to allow the
doctor to determ ine has spread. These tests include

Col onoscopy this allows the surgeon to determine the location of the tumor and to take a
sam ple at the time to confirm the diagnosis

CT scan to check the lungs and liver to determine if the tumour has spread

CEA this is a tumour m arker that can be helpful in confirming diagnosis and m ay allow for
early detection of cancer recurrence after treatment

Patients with rectal cancer may also be required to undergo an MRI of the pelvis, PET scan
and/ or a trans rectal ultrasound.

T reatm ent for Colorectal cancer:

The m ainstay treatment of colorectal cancer is surgery. This involves removal of the part of the bowel where the
tum our is located as well as the lymph glands surrounding this part of bowel. Most patients will be able to hav e
the ends of the bowel re-joined together although som e patients m ay require a tem porary or perm anent stom a
bag. After surgery, the cancer will be sent for further analysis which will determine if chemotherapy is necessary .
Patients with rectal cancer m ay also require radiotherapy .

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