Onkologie. 2011:5(5):261-266

Epidemiology, etiology, screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer, including

Štěpán Suchánek¹, Gabriela Vepřeková¹, Ondřej Májek², Ladislav Dušek², Miroslav Zavoral¹

¹ Univerzita Karlova, 1. lékařská fakulta, Ústřední vojenská nemocnice, Interní klinika, Praha

² Masarykova Univerzita, Institut biostatistiky a analýz, Brno

the therapeutic procedures in colon and rectum

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common malignant disease in the European Union countries. It is a genetic disorder which

is characterized by gradual accumulation of changes which lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Currently there are three paths of cancerogenesis

known: chromosomal and microsatellite instability and CpG islands methylation. Majority of CRCs (80–85 %) are represented

by the sporadic form with the age as the most important risk factor. Only 14–19 % of CRCs rise from inherited predisposition. Due to the

relative long time of cancerogenesis, the detection of premalignant lesions by screening is crucial. The basic screening methods are

fecal occult blood tests and colonoscopy. Colonoscopy examination is important in surveillance of CRC high risk patients and therapy

(adenomatous polyps removal). The strict quality control recommended on diagnostic (adenoma detection rate, complete examinations)

and therapeutic (prevention of complications such as perforation and bleeding) level is essential. It can be believed that due to

the national CRC screening program (carried out since year 2000), the CRC mortality in the Czech Republic has been stabilized for long

time. To its lowering, the highest participation of target population is necessary. It can be achieved by intensive participation of medical

specialists and the executive.

Keywords: colorectal cancer, cancerogenesis, colonoscopy, FOBT, surveillance

Published: November 1, 2011  Show citation