Bowel cancer

Bowel cancer can occur anywhere in the colon or rectum. Cells lining the inside of the bowel are constantly dying and being replaced. A cancer arises when this process of renewal goes wrong. These abnormal cells can form a polyp and develop into cancer. If the cancer is not treated, cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body, often to the liver. The majority (98%) of colorectal cancers are adenocarcinomas. Others are squamous cell carcinomas, carcinoid tumours, lymphomas and leiomyosarcomas. Adenocarcinoma - These tumours start in the lining or internal skin layer of the b...