Gastrointestinal (Bowel)
Gastrointestinal (Bowel) - Peter Mac Cancer Centre
| Colon, Rectum, Large/Small Bowels, Polyps, Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumour |
| The bowel is the longest part of the digestive system (the ‘gut’). The bowel is made of two sections. The small bowel is where food is absorbed. This leads into the large bowel, where only water and salts are absorbed. Bowel cancer generally affects the colon or rectum (parts of large bowel). Cancer of the small bowel is rare. Bowel cancer starts in the lining of the bowel (the mucosa). If untreated it spreads deeper into the wall of the bowel. From there, it can spread to lymph nodes in the area. Later, bowel cancer can spread to liver or lungs. Sometimes, bowel cancer starts in polyps, which grow in the lining of the bowel. Polyps look like small mushrooms. These polyps are quite common in people over the age of 50 and are usually benign. However, some polyps can grow and become cancerous. People with familial adenomatous polyps (FAP) have a lot of polyps in their bowel. They are at much greater risk of bowel cancer. Carcinoid tumour – is a slow growing cancer that forms in cells that make hormones in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract (the stomach and intestines). It usually occurs in the appendix (a small finger like pouch of the large intestine), small intestine, or rectum. Having gastrointestinal Carcinoid tumour increases the risk of forming other cancers of the digestive system. For more information on small bowel, large bowel and other gastrointestinal cancer types and service, go to Gastrointestinal Service |
Useful Links |
| Bowel Cancer Booklet by the Cancer Council of Victoria >> |
