How Do You Recognize An Inherited Or Family Cancer Syndrome
Certain things make it more likely that cancers in a family are caused by a family cancer syndrome, such as:
- Many cases of the same type of cancer
- Cancers occurring at younger ages than usual
- More than one type of cancer in a single person
- Cancers occurring in both of a pair of organs
- More than one childhood cancer in siblings
- Cancer occurring in the sex not usually affected
- Cancer occurring in many generations
When trying to determine if cancer might run in your family, first collect some information. For each case of cancer, look at:
- Who has the cancer? How are you related? Which side of the family are they on ?
- What type of cancer is it? Is it rare?
- How old was this relative when they were diagnosed?
- Did this person get more than one type of cancer?
- Did they have any known risk factors for their type of cancer ?
- Has anyone in the family with or without cancer had genetic testing, and did that testing show any abnormal genes?
Cancer in a close relative, like a parent or sibling , is more likely to be a cause for concern for you than cancer in a more distant relative. Even if the cancer in a distant relative was from a gene mutation, the chance of the abnormal gene being passed on to you is less likely than with a closer relative.
Likewise, more than one case of the same rare cancer is more worrisome than cases of a more common cancer. For some rare cancers, the risk of a family cancer syndrome is relatively high with even one case.
Colon Cancer Can Lead To Prostate Cancer
Research showed that men who developed colorectal and prostate cancer at the same time were followed up to the end of 1995. They were identified from the Victorian Cancer Registry.
Then they were divided into groups by age and years of follow-up. For example, the cause of death was determined in those who had prostate cancer following colorectal cancer.
Men with prostate cancer were compared with men without prostate cancer who also had colorectal cancer. The stage of colorectal cancer was then compared in the two groups.
People who get colorectal cancer are more likely to get prostate cancer. Men under 65 are at the most risk.
Men who have had their first colorectal cancer are at higher risk of getting prostate cancer than men with second primary cancers. People with second primary prostate cancers are more likely to die from prostate cancer than colorectal cancer.
Younger men who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer are at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer. Unfortunately, there is not enough evidence that screening for prostate cancer will help, but this should be thought about when deciding what to do in the long term.
Colon And Rectal Melanomas
Most commonly associated with skin cancer, these may start to develop anywhere, including in the colon or rectum, or may spread to the GI tract from the primary melanoma site. Melanomas account for 1 percent to 3 percent of all cancers that develop in the digestive system, according to research published in BMJ Case Reports. How melanomas develop in the colon isnt well understood, as its extremely rare. Diagnosis may involve a biopsy and other tests to determine whether the cancer spread from elsewhere in the body or started in the colon or rectum.
Colorectal melanoma treatment may include:
- Radiation therapy
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Association Of Colorectal Cancer And Prostate Cancer And Impact Of Radiation Therapy
Requests for reprints:
Dezheng Huo, Jeremy T. Hetzel, Hemant Roy, David T. Rubin Association of Colorectal Cancer and Prostate Cancer and Impact of Radiation Therapy. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1 July 2009 18 : 19791985.
Second Cancers After Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer survivors can be affected by a number of health problems, but often a major concern is facing cancer again. Cancer that comes back after treatment is called a recurrence. But some cancer survivors may develop a new, unrelated cancer later. This is called a second cancer.
Unfortunately, being treated for prostate cancer doesnt mean you cant get another cancer. Men who have had prostate cancer can still get the same types of cancers that other men get. In fact, they might be at higher risk for certain types of cancer.
Men who have had prostate cancer can get any type of second cancer, but they have an increased risk of certain cancers, including:
This risk is probably related to the dose of radiation. Newer methods of giving radiation therapy may have different effects on the risks of a second cancer. Because these methods are newer, the long-term effects have not been studied as well.
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When To Get Medical Advice
See a GP If you have any of the symptoms of bowel cancer for 3 weeks or more.
The GP may decide to:
- examine your tummy and bottom to make sure you have no lumps
- arrange for a simple blood test to check for iron deficiency anaemia this can show whether there’s any bleeding from your bowel that you have not been aware of
- arrange for you to have a simple test in hospital to make sure there’s no serious cause of your symptoms
Make sure you see a GP if your symptoms persist or keep coming back after stopping treatment, regardless of their severity or your age. You’ll probably be referred to hospital.
A Family History Of Colorectal Cancer Or Adenomatous Polyps
Most colorectal cancers are found in people without a family history of colorectal cancer. Still, as many as 1 in 3 people who develop colorectal cancer have other family members who have had it.
People with a history of colorectal cancer in a first-degree relative are at increased risk. The risk is even higher if that relative was diagnosed with cancer when they were younger than 50 , or if more than one first-degree relative is affected.
The reasons for the increased risk are not clear in all cases. Cancers can run in the family because of inherited genes, shared environmental factors, or some combination of these.
Having family members who have had adenomatous polyps is also linked to a higher risk of colon cancer.
If you have a family history of adenomatous polyps or colorectal cancer, talk with your doctor about the possible need to start screening before age 45. If you’ve had adenomatous polyps or colorectal cancer, its important to tell your close relatives so that they can pass along that information to their doctors and start screening at the right age.
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Risk And Other Prostate Conditions
The most common misconception is that the presence of non-cancerous conditions of the prostate will increase the risk of prostate cancer.
While these conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of prostate cancer and should be evaluated by a physician, there is no evidence to suggest that having either of the following conditions will increase a mans risk for developing prostate cancer.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. Because the Urethra runs directly through the prostate, enlargement of the prostate in BPH squeezes the urethra, making it difficult and often painful for men to urinate. Learn more about BPH.
Prostatitis, an infection in the prostate, is the most common cause of urinary tract infections in men. Most treatment strategies are designed to relieve the symptoms of prostatitis, which include fever, chills, burning during urination, or difficulty urinating. There have been links between inflammation of the prostate cancer and prostate cancer in several studies. This may be a result of being screened for cancer just by having prostate-related symptoms, and currently, this is an area of controversy. Learn more about prostatitis.
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Living With Bowel Cancer
Bowel cancer can affect your daily life in different ways, depending on what stage it’s at and the treatment you’re having.
How people cope with their diagnosis and treatment varies from person to person. There are several forms of support available if you need it:
- talk to your friends and family they can be a powerful support system
- communicate with other people in the same situation for example, through bowel cancer support groups
- find out as much as possible about your condition
- do not try to do too much or overexert yourself
- make time for yourself
You may also want advice on recovering from surgery, including diet and living with a stoma, and any financial concerns you have.
If you’re told there’s nothing more that can be done to treat your bowel cancer, there’s still support available. This is known as end of life care.
Page last reviewed: 08 November 2021 Next review due: 04 November 2022
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Patient Information And Clinical Findings
A 50-year-old male farmer, past heavy smoker , with no known co-morbidities, presented with a 1-year history of gradually enlarging nontender left neck mass, initially approximately 2 × 2 centimetres in size. He also complained of constipation but no abdominal pain, decreased stool calibre, melena or haematochezia. There were no reported lower urinary tract symptoms such as dysuria, urinary frequency, nocturia, haematuria, straining, hesitancy, urgency, intermittent stream, dribbling or feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. There were also no symptoms pertaining to a thyroid disease. There was no family history of any malignancy.
The left lateral neck mass was progressively enlarging in size which prompted consult at a local hospital where a neck ultrasound was done showing multiple, coalescing complex foci in the left lateral neck area, the largest of which measures 2.8 cm with perilesional uptake on Doppler study. The thyroid gland was normal in size with homogenous parenchymal echogenicity. Thyroid function tests were also normal. A fine needle aspiration biopsy of the neck mass showed atypical epithelial cells.
No masses, nodules, haemorrhoids or tenderness were palpated on initial DRE. There was good sphincter tone. No blood was seen per examining finger.
What Is Gastric Cancer
The stomach is the major part of the digestive system that connects the food pipe, which is known as the esophagus with the small intestine. Stomach cancer which is also known as gastric cancer which is caused due to the abnormal growth of cells in an uncontrolled manner. It is usually caused due to improper dietary habits like highly smoked food, fast foods, and smoking for longer periods.
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Just Diagnosed With Colorectal Cancer
We understand that a new diagnosis of colorectal cancer can be distressing. The team at Virginia Oncology Associates will be with you every step of the way, from creating a treatment plan, getting a second opinion, and explaining what to expect after colorectal cancer treatment.
Also, our colorectal cancer specialists will help you, and your family, make individualized treatment decisions. During this process, you will gain the knowledge and confidence to help manage your colorectal cancer and continue with routine activities of daily life.
Prostate Cancer Tied To Higher Colorectal Cancer Risk
The risk of colorectal cancer is increased after a diagnosis of prostate cancer, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in Cancer.
Danielle Desautels, M.D., from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, and colleagues analyzed data on 14,164 subjects diagnosed with prostate cancer as their first cancer and 69,051 age-matched men with no history of invasive cancer on the prostate cancer diagnosis date. Follow-up lasted until date of diagnosis of colorectal cancer or another cancer, death, emigration, or the study endpoint .
The researchers found that men diagnosed with prostate cancer had an increased risk of a subsequent diagnosis of colorectal cancer . There was an increased risk for rectal cancer associated with the treatment of prostate cancer with radiation , compared with prostate cancer cases not treated with radiation.
Colorectal cancer screening should be considered soon after the diagnosis of prostate cancer, especially for men planning for radiotherapy, the authors write.
One author disclosed financial ties to the medical device industry.
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Prostate Cancer Linked To Increased Colorectal Cancer Risk
Adjuvant Radiation Therapy for Patients with High-Risk Pathology at ProstatectomyA 64-year-old man with history of elevated PSA and previous negative prostate biopsies underwent multiparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging . PIRADS 4 and 5 lesions were identified in the transitional and peripheral zones with the latter lesion exhibiting
The risk of colorectal cancer is increased after a diagnosis of prostate cancer, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in Cancer.
Danielle Desautels, MD, from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, and colleagues analyzed data on 14,164 subjects diagnosed with prostate cancer as their first cancer and 69,051 age-matched men with no history of invasive cancer on the prostate cancer diagnosis date. Follow-up lasted until date of diagnosis of colorectal cancer or another cancer, death, emigration, or the study endpoint .
The researchers found that men diagnosed with prostate cancer had an increased risk of a subsequent diagnosis of colorectal cancer . There was an increased risk for rectal cancer associated with the treatment of prostate cancer with radiation , compared with prostate cancer cases not treated with radiation.
Colorectal cancer screening should be considered soon after the diagnosis of prostate cancer, especially for men planning for radiotherapy, the authors write.
One author disclosed financial ties to the medical device industry.
Is There A Connection Between Colon Cancer And Prostate Cancer
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Environmental Radiation Exposure Dna Damage And Risk Of Malignancies
The risk of malignancy after radiation varies between different animals and between different strains of the same species, and even tissues vary in their sensitivity to radiation. Suit and colleagues reviewed the data on the effects of radiation in cell cultures, animal studies and in humans exposed to radiation. In cell cultures, a linear increase of transformations was noted as radiation increased from 1 to 7Gy .
Older studies have suggested a long latency period between radiation exposure and the development of clinical cancer although the increased risk is life long. Quilty and Kerr reported the median latency period between the delivery of pelvic radiation and the diagnosis of bladder cancer to be 30 and 16.5 years using low-dose and high-dose radiation, respectively .
However, recent studies have estimated a mean latency period of 5 years from radiation exposure to radiation-induced cancer . Studies on patients who survived the release of radioactivity after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear facility show an increase in DNA damage, DNA damage-repair mechanisms, and urinary bladder lesions .
The same studies have shown that a 73% rate of urothelial carcinoma in a cohort of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or chronic cystitis, while the rate of bladder dysplasia was 97%, compared with no carcinomas and a 27% rate of dysplasia in unaffected areas . The incidence of bladder cancer increased from 26.2 to 43.3 per 100,000 between 1986 and 2001 .
Colon & Rectal Cancer Diagnosis
Colorectal cancer screening is now recommended for everyone with an average risk starting at age 45 using one or more common tests. If the results of the cancer screening tests show suspicion of colon or rectal cancer, further tests will likely be required. There are several steps in the diagnosis process including:
Based on the stage and other factors of your cancer, you and your cancer care team will discuss options for your treatment. Those options can include:
- Biological Therapy
- Radiation Therapy
The oncologists at Virginia Oncology Associates will help you decide on a plan thats right for you.
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A Personal History Of Colorectal Polyps Or Colorectal Cancer
If you have a history of adenomatous polyps , you are at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. This is especially true if the polyps are large, if there are many of them, or if any of them show dysplasia.
If you’ve had colorectal cancer, even though it was completely removed, you are more likely to develop new cancers in other parts of the colon and rectum. The chances of this happening are greater if you had your first colorectal cancer when you were younger.
The Surveillance Epidemiology And End Results Program
NCIs Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program collects and publishes cancer incidence and survival data from population-based cancer registries that cover approximately 35% of the US population. The SEER program website has more detailed cancer statistics, including population statistics for common types of cancer, customizable graphs and tables, and interactive tools.
The Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer provides an annual update of cancer incidence, mortality, and trends in the United States. This report is jointly authored by experts from NCI, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Cancer Society, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.
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Prostate Cancer Patients Are At Increased Risk Of Precancerous Colon Polyps
- Date:
- University at Buffalo
- Summary:
- Men with prostate cancer should be especially diligent about having routine screening colonoscopies, results of a new study by gastroenterologists indicate.
Men with prostate cancer should be especially diligent about having routine screening colonoscopies, results of a new study by gastroenterologists at the University at Buffalo indicate.
Their findings show that persons diagnosed with prostate cancer had significantly more abnormal colon polyps, known as adenomas, and advanced adenomas than men without prostate cancer.
Results of the research were presented Oct. 19 at a 10:30 a.m. session at the American College of Gastroenterology meeting being held Oct. 15-20 in San Antonio, Texas.
While most adenomas are benign and dont become cancerous, there is evidence that most colon cancers begin as adenomas. Advanced adenomas carry an even higher colorectal cancer risk.
Colon cancer and prostate cancer are two of the most common cancers in males, says Ognian Pomakov, MD, an author on the study. However there are no published clinical studies to date that determined the prevalence of colorectal neoplasms in people with prostate cancer.
Our study is the first to show that men with prostate cancer are at increased risk of developing colon cancer, and that it is especially important for these men not skip their routine colonoscopies.
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