Sigmoid colon cancer

Sigmoid colon cancer is a malignant neoplasm that develops in the terminal part of the colon at the border with the rectum. It accounts for 30% of all cases of colorectal cancer. Unlike tumors of other localizations, this is diagnosed mainly in middle-aged men - between 40 and 60 years old.

When treatment is started at an early stage, more than 90% of patients recover, and at 2 and 3 from 40 to 60% achieve stable remission.

In "Oxford Medical" cancer treatment is carried out by experienced oncologists and oncological surgeons, many of whom are rightfully considered the best in Kyiv and all of Ukraine. The clinic has installed new expert-class equipment that allows for accurate diagnostics, and also operates a high-tech surgical hospital with two operating rooms, an intensive care unit and intensive care wards.

Depending on the size of the tumor, the depth of germination in the tissue, the involvement of lymph nodes and the presence of metastases, 5 stages of cancer are distinguished.

For tumors of the sigmoid colon, the following classification is used:

• Stage 0 is a preinvasive form, when malignant cells appear in the superficial epithelial layer of the inner lining of the intestine;
• Stage 1 - the tumor increases to 2 cm and spreads to the mucous layer of the intestinal lining;
• Stage 2 - the tumor size is more than 2 cm, it grows into the muscular or all layers of the intestine, but does not block its lumen;
• Stage 3 - the diameter of the tumor exceeds the lumen of the sigmoid colon, grows through its wall, there are metastases in nearby lymph nodes;
• Stage 4 - the tumor covers the lumen of the sigmoid colon, affects adjacent organs, there are distant metastases.

The treatment tactics, its effectiveness and prognosis depend on the stage of the disease, so oncologists use a more accurate system. In medical circles, the international TNM classification system is generally accepted, which stands for: T (tumor size) - tumor size, N (nodes) - lymph node involvement, M (metastasis) - presence of metastases. The stage of cancer is determined separately for each criterion, so the final diagnosis may look like T1N1M0, T2N0M0, T2aN1bM0, etc.

As the tumor grows, the following symptoms may appear:

• regular constipation;
• frequent urge to defecate;
• feeling of incomplete bowel emptying;
• blood in the stool;
• mucous and purulent discharge;
• pain, cramps in the left side of the abdomen.

The listed symptoms are characteristic of many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including non-malignant ones. To find out the cause of the malaise and make an accurate diagnosis, you need to undergo diagnostics.

To undergo an examination, you should contact a proctologist. During the consultation, the doctor will review your complaints and medical history, as well as perform an examination, after which he will prescribe the necessary tests.

To diagnose sigmoid colon cancer, the following tests are performed:

• general blood, urine and stool tests;
• stool analysis for occult blood (hemoculture test);
• blood tests for tumor markers;
• transrectal ultrasound of the rectum;
• colonoscopy - endoscopic examination of the intestine;
• irrigoscopy - X-ray examination of the intestine with the introduction of a contrast medium;
• biopsy - taking a sample of tumor tissue;
• histological analysis - determining the type of neoplasm;
• immunohistochemical analysis - determining the characteristics of a malignant neoplasm;
• ultrasound, CT or MRI of various areas are performed to detect metastases.

The main examination is a colonoscopy - an examination of the intestinal walls using an endoscope, which is inserted through the anus. It is equipped with a miniature video camera, the image from which is enlarged and transmitted to the monitor screen. This allows the doctor to consistently assess the condition of the mucous membranes of the colon, one of the departments of which is the sigmoid colon.

When a tumor is detected, a biopsy is immediately performed. Surgical microinstruments are inserted through the colonoscope and a tissue sample is taken. The latter is sent to the laboratory for histological analysis. The result determines whether the tumor is malignant or not. If so, an immunohistochemical analysis is also performed - they study the morphological features of the tumor, which determine the rate of cell division and the effectiveness of treatment.

In addition, the doctor may prescribe other examinations to determine the stage of cancer and assess the patient's general health.

For sigmoid colon cancer, an individual treatment program is created for each patient.

It may include:

• surgery;
• chemotherapy;
• radiation therapy;
• targeted therapy;
• immunotherapy.

At stages 0 and 1, if surgeons manage to perform a radical operation and tests confirm the absence of malignant cells, the patient may not be prescribed an additional course of chemotherapy or other treatment. They are performed with a greater spread of cancer to prevent recurrence and the development of metastases.

For inoperable tumors of large size, patients are initially prescribed radiation or chemotherapy. They slow down the growth of the neoplasm and cause tissue destruction, which ensures a decrease in its size and in some cases allows for radical surgery.

Most often, cancer treatment includes surgery and several courses of chemo- or radiation therapy. Sometimes they are performed in combination. Also, for certain types of cancer, patients are prescribed targeted (drugs directly affect tumor cells) and/or immune therapy (increases the body's protective functions to fight the tumor).

"Oxford Medical" is a network of modern medical centers, one of the largest in Ukraine. In Kyiv alone, there are 10 clinics, including a high-tech surgical hospital and an oncology department.

Cancer treatment is carried out by oncologists and oncological surgeons with more than 20 years of experience. For each patient, they develop an individual treatment program, guided by state and international protocols. A comprehensive approach and the use of modern methods with proven effectiveness allow achieving high treatment efficiency.

To make an appointment for a consultation, call our contact center or write to the chat on the website.

The sigmoid colon has an S-shaped shape, which leads to the retention of feces and prolonged exposure to carcinogenic substances on the mucous membrane. Experts believe that this is one of the key factors in the development of cancer.

In addition, the likelihood of the disease increases with hereditary predisposition, polyps, benign formations and chronic inflammation of the intestines (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease). In different cases, the risk increases from 18 to 56%.

Also, risk factors are:

• age over 40 years;
• history of cancer;
• frequent constipation;
• diabetes;
• overweight;
• smoking;
• alcohol abuse;
• regular consumption of fatty meats, semi-finished products and other carcinogenic products.

Sigmoid colon tumors, unlike other types of colorectal cancer, develop more often in patients aged 40 to 60 years. Therefore, experts recommend that both women and men undergo screening examinations. To do this, you need to visit a proctologist who will conduct an examination, assess risk factors and draw up a plan and schedule of examinations. Most often, it is recommended to take a fecal occult blood test annually and undergo a colonoscopy every 5 years.

To reduce the risk of developing sigmoid colon cancer, it is recommended to:

• eat a balanced diet (eat less processed foods and fast food, fatty meats, replacing them with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains);
• control your weight;
• exercise regularly;
• quit smoking and drinking alcohol;
• treat all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in a timely manner.