A Literature Review in Immuno-Oncology: Pathophysiological and Clinical Features of Colorectal Cancer and the Role of the Doctor-Patient Interaction

Abstract

This review is intended to describe the features of colorectal cancer both in terms of pathophysiology and clinical features of the pathology. It also describes the anatomical and clinical features of different primary tumor locations in colorectal cancer. It is also to note how relevant it is to identify rectal cancer and colon cancer as different pathologies due to the clinical, pathophysiological and immuno-oncological features of rectal cancer compared to the ones of colon cancer while remarking the importance of medical doctors in the interaction with oncological patients. Background: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is a major public health problem, representing the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in males and the second in females and it is fundamental to note and discuss doctor-patient interaction, fundamental for proper adherence and psychological status of the oncological patient, when discussing such important and impactful pathologies. Conclusions: This review highlights the possibility of an update in the terminology of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) into different clinically relevant pathologies within the umbrella term colorectal cancer (for instance rectal and colon cancer as different tumors). It also remarks on the importance of medical doctors in the interaction with oncological patients.