Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, can affect any part of the colon or rectum; it may also be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer is located.
Bowel cancer screening is for people who do not already have bowel cancer, symptoms of bowel cancer, or any reason to have a high risk of bowel cancer.
Patient-centred care is healthcare that is respectful of, and responsive to, the preferences, needs and values of patients and consumers.
Bowel Cancer Australia provides essential support services uniquely designed for bowel cancer patients via our confidential Helpline with specialist telehealth support, as well as a national Peer-to-Peer Support Network and Buddy Program.
Bowel Cancer Australia funds research that has the potential to improve survival and/or help build a path toward a cure and integrates published research into our awareness, advocacy, and support strategies.
Bowel Cancer Australia relies upon donations and the support of hard working and enthusiastic fundraisers across the country to continue our life saving work. We raise funds to continue our life-saving work and inspire others to do the same, so everyone affected by bowel cancer can live their best life.
The lungs are a pair of cone-shaped breathing organs in the chest.
The lungs bring oxygen into the body as you breathe in. They release carbon dioxide, a waste product of the body’s cells, as you breathe out.
Each lung has sections called lobes. The left lung have two lobes. The right lung is slightly larger and has three lobes.
Two tubes called bronchi lead from the trachea (windpipe) to the right and left lungs.
Tiny air sacs called alveoli and small tubes called bronchioles make up the inside of the lungs.
The lining of the lungs is called the pleura.
Lung cancer is a term used to describe a growth of abnormal cells inside the lung – these cells continue to grow in an unlimited fashion until removed or treated.
The abnormal cells stick together and produce a growth or fluid. The abnormal cluster of cells is called a ‘tumour’.
Cancer that starts and grows in the lung is known as ‘primary’ lung cancer. Cancer that has spread to the lungs having started as a ‘primary’ in another part of the body such as the bowel are called lung ‘metastases’.
Bowel cancer can spread to the lungs, pleura, and lymph nodes surrounding the lungs.
When a diagnosis of bowel cancer in made, patients undergo a series of tests to see if the cancer has spread.
A diagnosis of metastatic bowel cancer in the lungs can happen when you are initially told you have bowel cancer or some time after the initial diagnosis, during routine follow up, and may include one or more of the following:
A chest x-ray may be taken to determine if the cancer has spread to your lungs and to provide information about the general health of your lungs, which is important when making treatment plans.
A CT scan creates a cross sectional, 3D image of the body. The scan gives detailed pictures of the tumour(s) and surrounding tissues and organs, enabling the doctors treating you to gain an accurate picture of the tumour, and its location.
A CT scan can be combined with a PET scan which is a medical imaging technique which produces a three-dimensional, colour image of your body. When taken together, the results can be combined to show where there are any cell changes in the body, and whether the cancer has spread.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnetic and radio waves (not X-rays) to show the tumour(s) in great detail and look at the blood supply to the liver.
During the scan you will have to lie in the scanner for up to an hour, and, whilst it is very noisy, it is painless. Let the specialist know in advance if you are claustrophobic.
You may be asked to drink a liquid ‘contrast medium’ before a CT or MRI scan, or be given an injection of a contrast medium during the scan (which may give you a hot flush for a few minutes). The dye travels to your liver to help produce a better image.
Bowel Cancer Australia’s comprehensive resource regarding possible surgery and treatment options for metastatic cancer in the liver, lungs or peritoneum.
Treatment for lung metastases depends on the size, location in the lungs, extent of the cancer, as well as the patient’s age, general health and feelings about the treatment.
Surgery can treat lung metastases consisting of a procedure that may cure lung metastases if it is well confined and if it has not spread to other parts of the body.
The treatment includes surgical removal of part or the entire lung called pulmonary resection.
Three main types of surgery are used in metastatic lung cancer treatment.
The surgeon will remove only the diseased portion of the lung.
All types of lung operations require a thoracotomy which is an incision (cut) into the chest wall.
During the procedure the chest wall is opened, ribs are spread and the lung is entered to remove the diseased portion, thereby causing the lung to collapse.
After lung surgery, air and fluid tend to collect in the chest.
The air and fluid are drained out through a tube (chest tube) which is connected to a drainage system.
An incision (cut) will usually extend from just below your underarm to around the back.
The incision is closed with dissolvable sutures (thread).
Minimally invasive thoracic surgery, also called thoracoscopy or thoracoscopic surgery is surgery of the chest that is performed with a thoracoscope (small video-scope) using small incisions and special instruments to minimise trauma.
During thoracoscopic surgery, three small (approximately 2.5cm) incisions are used as compared with one long 15cm to 20cm incision that is used during traditional, open thoracic surgery.
Other names for this procedure include pleuroscopy or VATS (video-assisted thoracic surgery). It is performed in bowel cancer patients who have limited disease in their lungs.
Thoracic surgery procedures routinely performed using a minimally invasive technique include VATS lobectomy and wedge resection.
Lobectomy (removal of a large section of the lung) can be performed using a minimally invasive approach.
During video-assisted lobectomy, three 2.5cam incisions and one 7.5cm to 10cm incision are made to provide access to the chest cavity without spreading of the ribs.
The patient experiences a more rapid recovery with less pain and a shorter hospital stay (usually 3 days) than traditional thoracotomy surgery.
The surgical outcomes of video-assisted lobectomy are comparable to traditional lobectomy outcomes.
Although minimally invasive approaches are considered for every patient, in some cases, patients who have a large or more central tumor may not be candidates for video-assisted lobectomy.
A wedge resection is the surgical removal of a wedge-shaped portion of tissue from one, or both, lungs which can also be accomplished using this minimally invasive technique.
A wedge resection is typically performed for the diagnosis or treatment of small lung nodules.
Bowel Cancer Australia’s essential support services are uniquely designed for you.
Email, call of video chat confidentially with one of our friendly nurses, nutritionists, or psychosocial support worker, plus access our resources, peer-to-peer buddy program, support group or podcast.