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Colorectal Cancer Emergencies

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Abstract

Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common type of malignancy encountered in the United States. A significant proportion of patients with CRC will seek emergency medical care during the course of their illness and treatment.

Background

Emergent presentations can be the result of either local tumor invasion, regional progression, or therapeutic techniques. Specific complications of CRC which present emergently include rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and bowel obstruction. Less common issues encountered include malignant ascites, neutropenic enterocolitis, and radiation enteropathy.

Conclusion

The care of CRC patients in the setting of an acute severe illness typically requires the joint efforts of the emergency medical team in consultation with surgical, medical, and radiation oncology. A high degree of suspicion for the typical and atypical complications of CRC is important for all clinicians who are responsible for the care of these patients.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Andy Barnett & Anna Cedar

  2. Section of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Daniel Herzig

  3. School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Emilie Fowlkes

  4. Department of Radiation Medicine, OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Mail Code KPV4, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA

    Faisal Siddiqui & Charles R. Thomas Jr.

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  1. Andy Barnett
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  2. Anna Cedar
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  3. Faisal Siddiqui
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  6. Charles R. Thomas Jr.
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Correspondence to Charles R. Thomas Jr..

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Barnett, A., Cedar, A., Siddiqui, F. et al. Colorectal Cancer Emergencies. J Gastrointest Canc 44, 132–142 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-012-9468-0

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