Bookmark this page or recommend it.

Intestinal cancer is a malignant mucosal growth, and if the colon is affected it is called colon cancer. Experts also call it ‘colon carcinoma’  or ‘carcinoma of the colon’. When the rectum (i.e. the end part of the large intestine) is affected, medical doctors call this ‘rectal cancer’; often, both cancers are also known under the common term ‘colorectal carcinoma’.

With far in excess of 70,000 new cases diagnosed each year, colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Germany. However, if the disease ist recognised early and appropiate treatment measures are implemented the chance of cure is good. Tumors of the colon are found a little more often than tumors of the rectum, and from 100 people, five to six  fall ill from the intestinal cancer during their lifetime. There is plenty of information available on the prevention of colorectal cancer, including from the Internet.

The ‘blue’ guidebooks are available from the German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe) and from our Patient Navigators  (experienced nurses who remain your contact person throughout the treatment).

What Risk Factors are there?

There are various risk factors that contribute to the occurance of colorectal  cancer, e.g. chronic inflammatory bowel disease or genetic predisposition.

Most frequently, colorectal cancer develops from a specific type of intestinal polyps (benign tumours of the gut mucosa), which over time can develop into malignant tumors. Such polyps can be removed by colonoscopy, thus, regular participation in early detection (screening) examinations is recommended.

Suspected risk factors include the consumption of red meat, low-fibre food, lack of exercise, obesity as well as long-term consumption of alcohol and tobacco. There are no unambiguous physical symptoms associated exclusively with colorectal cancer. Therefore, it is important to take seriously, any indication that something might be wrong. These warning signs, however, do not necessarily imply the presence of cancer. Nonetheless, in the presence of such symptoms, you really should visit a medical doctor and have them investigated to find out their possible cause.

If there is a family history of colorectal cancer, you may wish to find out whether you have an increased risk of getting colorectal cancer.  The CIO Bonn offers  consultation hours on familial colorectal cancer. Appointments can be arranged at:

FAP-/HNPCC-Consultation hours (by appointment only)
Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25
53105 Bonn-Venusberg
Phone: +49 228 /287-15332
Fax:      +49 228 / 287-16887
cio[at]ukb.uni-bonn.de