Cancer Therapy & Radiation Oncology

Biography

Biography: Araceli Cue

Abstract

Colon cancer is an important cause of death among the general population, although it is highly preventable and treatable when early detection occurs. The main problem is the lack of patient adhesion to screening methods and some limitations in its performance due to particular patients’ features (video colonoscopy). Computed Tomography Colonography (CTC) has shown high sensitivity, low cost, less exploration time and is less invasive to the patient. In Mexico the colorectal cancer has the 1st place in incidence among digestive tube cancer. Video colonoscopy is the most sensitive and specific method for the detection of polyps and colorectal cancers. Many international organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (USAHCPR), and the United States Preventive Service Task Force (USMSTF), have developed guides for colorectal cancer screening which includes CTC. Th e CTC allows the exploration of intra and extra colonic findings, thou the gathering of more information is possible. In this study all the patients having video colonoscopy had CTC in a one year period. 95% of the studied cases had positive intra and extra colorectal findings that included polyps, malignant tumor, peri colonic/perirectal fat stranding, metastatic lymph nodes and extra colorectal metastasis. Some of the malignant lesions were deeper and larger than prior stated in the video colonoscopy. Th e CTC can be used as a screening method in general population not willing to have a video colonoscopy and should be used as an obligatory complement for those patients with video colonoscopy positive  findings instead of just an Abdominal CT for staging. The information obtained from CTC helps the clinician to plan a better treatment and have a better panorama for each case.