Kolorektaalse

Kolorektaalse is an Estonian term meaning colorectal, referring to the colon and rectum, parts of the large intestine. In medical usage it denotes things related to or affecting the colorectal region. The term is used in clinical descriptions, disease names, and screening guidelines.

The colon and rectum form the final section of the digestive tract. The colon absorbs water and electrolytes and forms stool; the rectum stores and passes stool through the anal canal. The region is supplied by mesenteric vessels and has a rich mucosal lining with lymphatic tissue.

Important colorectal conditions include colorectal cancer, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), diverticular disease, hemorrhoids, and infectious or ischemic diseases. Risk factors include age, family history, inflammatory conditions, diet, and lifestyle. Screening aims to detect precancerous lesions and early cancers.

Screening methods include colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, CT or MR colonography, and stool tests such as fecal occult blood tests or fecal immunochemical tests. Diagnostic workup may involve biopsy, imaging, and laboratory tests; staging for cancer uses the TNM system.

Treatment depends on the condition; colorectal cancer may require surgical resection with or without chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Polyps are removed endoscopically. Preventive measures include regular screening, high-fiber diet, maintaining healthy weight, limiting red/processed meat, and avoiding smoking.