Colon cancer is cancer that begins within the large intestine (colon). The colon is the last part of the digestive tract. Colon cancer usually affects older adults, even though it can affect any age.
Table Of Contents
- What are the causes of Colon Cancer?
- What are the symptoms of Colon Cancer?
- How is Colon Cancer diagnosed and treated?
What are the causes of Colon Cancer?
It normally begins as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells referred to as polyps that form on the inside of the colon. Over time, some of these polyps can end up causing colon cancers.
The most common types of polyps in the colon and rectum include
Hyperplastic and inflammatory polyps: These rarely carry a chance of cancer. But
large hyperplastic polyps, especially on the right side of the colon, can be a problem. Hence doctor would want to remove them.
Adenomas or adenomatous polyps: These are precancerous. If they are left unattended, they could turn into colon cancer.
What are the symptoms of Colon Cancer?
Signs and symptoms of colon cancers include Rectal bleeding, Stool color change, Change in bowel habits, chronic belly pain, comprising cramps, gas or ache, a feeling that the bowel doesn’t empty fully, weakness or fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
How is Colon Cancer diagnosed and treated?
Screening tests play a key function in detecting polyps before they turn cancerous. The exams also can help locate colon cancer in its early degrees and to see if there is a very good chance of recovery.
Screening and testing methods include:
Colonoscopy – A method wherein a long, thin, flexible tube is passed through the rectum into the large intestine. The tube has a camera at its end that shows images on a display screen and permits polyps to be removed or to take tissue samples (biopsies) for evaluation.
Blood Tests – Though blood test does not confirm if a person has colon cancer, it helps track whether the cancer is responding to the treatment by a protein (carcinoembryonic antigen, or CEA) in blood.
The stages of colon cancers are shown by using roman numerals from 0 to IV, with the lowest stages showing cancer. This is restricted to the lining inside the colon. By stage IV, the cancer is advanced and has spread (metastasized) to different areas of the body.
The treatment depends on the particular situation, including the location of cancer, its stage, and other health problems. Treatment for colon cancer commonly includes surgical treatment to put off cancer. Other remedies, comprising radiation and chemotherapy, can also be recommended.
Surgery for early-stage colon cancer
If the colon cancer is tiny, a doctor may recommend a minimally invasive approach to surgery, such as
Removal of polyps during a colonoscopy (polypectomy) – If the polyps are small and completely localized within a polyp, it is removed.
Endoscopic mucosal resection – Larger polyps might be eliminated by colonoscopy with the use of special tools.
Minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic surgery)– Polyps that can’t be eliminated through a colonoscopy are removed using laparoscopic surgery.
Surgery for advanced colon cancer
Partial colectomy – For this surgery, the surgeon removes a part of the colon that contains cancer and reconnects the healthy part of the colon using laparoscopy.
Surgery to create a way for waste to leave the body (Ostomy) is performed if reconnecting the healthy part of the colon is not possible.
Lymph node removal – Nearby lymph nodes are removed in colon cancer surgery operation and tested for cancer.
Surgery for more advanced cancer
Chemotherapy –drugs are used in chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells. For Colon cancer, chemotherapy is usually given before or after surgery, depending on the size of cancer.
Radiation therapy – Radiation remedy makes use of powerful, effective energy resources, comprising X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells.
