| colon cancer, family history of | Colorectal cancer can run in families. The colon cancer risk is higher if an immediate (first-degree) family member (parents, siblings or children) had colorectal cancer and even higher if more than one such relative had colorectal cancer or if a family member developed the cancer at young age (younger than 55 years). Under any of these circumstances, individuals are recommended to undergo a colonoscopy every three years starting at an age that is 7-10 years younger than when the youngest family member with the cancer wasdiagnosed. For example, if a parent had colon cancer diagnosed at age 50, colonoscopy should start in that person's children at 40-43 years of age. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| colon carcinoma | <radiology> Risk factors: colonic adenoma, 93% of colorectal CA arises from adenomatous polyps, 5% of adenomas 5mm in size develop into carcinoma, family history and polyposis syndromes, chronic ulcerative colitis, prominent lymphoid follicular pattern, history of endometrial and breast carcinoma, metastasis: liver (25%); retroperitoneal/mesenteric nodes (15%); hydronephrosis (13%); adrenal (10%); ovary; psoas muscle; ascites, risk of: 1% for synchronous colon carcinoma, 3% for metachronous colon CA, 3.8% for extracolonic malignancy, Dukes A: bowel wall; B: serosa/mesentery; C: lymph nodes; D: metastasis (12 Dec 1998) |
| colon cutoff sign | Radiographic sign of (usually) inflammatory disease preventing distention of the distal transverse colon. (05 Mar 2000) |
| colon descendens | The fourth portion of the large intestine (colon) that communicates with the transverse colon in the left-upper quadrant of the abdomen and the rectum below. (27 Sep 1997) |
| colon obstruction | <radiology> Primary colon carcinoma (70%), diverticulitis (spasm, scarring), volvulus (caecal, sigmoid), inflammatory stricture (IBD, etc.), extrinsic lesion (hernia, neoplasm), faecal impaction, intussusception, Hirschsprung disease, imperforate anus, meconium plug, adhesions, retractile mesenteritis Note: left colon more common, more subacute than SBO (12 Dec 1998) |
| colon pelvinum | <anatomy> The portion of the colon that connects to the descending colon above and the rectum below. (27 Sep 1997) |
| colon sigmoideum | <anatomy> The portion of the colon that connects to the descending colon above and the rectum below. (27 Sep 1997) |
| colon transversum | <anatomy> The third division of the colon (large intestine). It communicates with the ascending colon in the upper right-hand quadrant of the abdomen and the descending colon in the upper left-hand quadrant. (19 Jan 1998) |
| plica semilunaris of colon | One of the folds of the wall of the colon between sacculations. Synonym: plica sigmoidea, semilunar fold of colon. (05 Mar 2000) |
| muscular coat of colon | Muscular layer of the wall of the colon. Synonym: tunica muscularis coli. (05 Mar 2000) |
| polypsis of the colon | Multiple polyps with a high malignant potential in large bowel. This hereditary condition is also known as polypsis coli and familial adenomatous polyposis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| prediverticular disease of colon | <radiology> Longitudinal and circular muscle thickening with redundancy of folds secondary to myostatic contracture findings: saw tooth sign: crowding and thickening of haustral folds (shortening of colonic segments), superimposed muscle spasm (relieved by antispasmodics) Differential diagnosis: hemmorhage; ischemia; radiation; pseudomembranous colitis see: divericular disease of colon (12 Dec 1998) |
| haustra of colon | <anatomy> The sacculations of the colon, caused by the teniae, or longitudinal bands, which are slightly shorter than the gut so that the latter is thrown into tucks or pouches. Synonym: haustra coli, haustrations of colon, sacculation of colon. (05 Mar 2000) |
| haustrations of colon | <anatomy> The sacculations of the colon, caused by the teniae, or longitudinal bands, which are slightly shorter than the gut so that the latter is thrown into tucks or pouches. Synonym: haustra coli, haustrations of colon, sacculation of colon. (05 Mar 2000) |
| sacculation of colon | <anatomy> The sacculations of the colon, caused by the teniae, or longitudinal bands, which are slightly shorter than the gut so that the latter is thrown into tucks or pouches. Synonym: haustra coli, haustrations of colon, sacculation of colon. (05 Mar 2000) |