What is Colon Cancer - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
What is Colon Cancer?
Large intestine cancer, such as colon cancer, is a form of cancer (colon). The digestive system's colon is its last stop. Despite being able to strike anyone at any age, colon cancer mainly strikes older persons. On the inside of the colon, tiny polyps - clusters of benign, non-cancerous cells - typically form at the beginning. Colon cancers can develop from some of these polyps over time.
Small and, if present at all, symptomless polyps are possible. To help prevent colon cancer by locating and eliminating polyps before they develop into cancer, doctors advise routine screening exams.
There are numerous treatments available to help control colon cancer, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and medication treatments like chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. When referring to colon cancer, the term colorectal cancer is frequently used, which combines the terms colon cancer and rectal cancer (which begins in the rectum).
Large intestine cancer, such as colon cancer, is a form of cancer (colon). The digestive system's colon is its last stop. Despite being able to strike anyone at any age, colon cancer mainly strikes older persons. On the inside of the colon, tiny polyps - clusters of benign, non-cancerous cells - typically form at the beginning. Colon cancers can develop from some of these polyps over time.
Small and, if present at all, symptomless polyps are possible. To help prevent colon cancer by locating and eliminating polyps before they develop into cancer, doctors advise routine screening exams.
There are numerous treatments available to help control colon cancer, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and medication treatments like chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. When referring to colon cancer, the term colorectal cancer is frequently used, which combines the terms colon cancer and rectal cancer (which begins in the rectum).
Colon Cancer Stages: What Are They?
The extent of cancer spread at the time of diagnosis is defined by each stage of colon cancer. In colon cancer, there are four main stages, called stages 1-4:
Stage 1: The muscular wall of the large intestine has been infected with colon cancer that has spread from the lining of the large intestine.
Stage 2: The outermost layer of the intestine's wall has been penetrated by colon cancer, which has the potential to progress to nearby organs.
Stage 3: There has been colon cancer metastasis to nearby lymph nodes or organs.
Stage 4: Metastatic colon cancer is colon cancer. It has progressed outside of the colon to the liver, bones, or lungs, among other body organs.
When cancer solely affects the lining of the gut at its earliest stages, it is commonly referred to as Stage 0.
The extent of cancer spread at the time of diagnosis is defined by each stage of colon cancer. In colon cancer, there are four main stages, called stages 1-4:
Stage 1: The muscular wall of the large intestine has been infected with colon cancer that has spread from the lining of the large intestine.
Stage 2: The outermost layer of the intestine's wall has been penetrated by colon cancer, which has the potential to progress to nearby organs.
Stage 3: There has been colon cancer metastasis to nearby lymph nodes or organs.
Stage 4: Metastatic colon cancer is colon cancer. It has progressed outside of the colon to the liver, bones, or lungs, among other body organs.
When cancer solely affects the lining of the gut at its earliest stages, it is commonly referred to as Stage 0.
Colon Cancer Sign and Symptoms:
The following list of symptoms and signs of colon cancer:
Signs of Stage 3 or 4:In stages 3 and 4, colon cancer signs become more obvious. You may additionally experience: in addition to the previously mentioned symptoms.
The following list of symptoms and signs of colon cancer:
- Persistent changes to your bowel habits, such as chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation, or changes in the texture of your stool
- Blood in the stool or bleeding from the rectum
- Persistent stomach discomfort such as pain, gas, or cramps
- Having the impression that your bowels aren't totally empty
- Weariness or weakness
- Weight reduction that is mysterious
Signs of Stage 3 or 4:In stages 3 and 4, colon cancer signs become more obvious. You may additionally experience: in addition to the previously mentioned symptoms.
- Prolonged drowsiness
- Unaccounted-for ailment
- Weight loss that wasn't intended
- More than a month's worth of alterations to your stool
- Having the impression that your bowels won't empty entirely and vomiting
- Jaundice, also referred to as yellow eyes and skin swelling in the hands or feet
- Issues with breathing
- Persistent head pain
- Visual haziness
- Bone breaks
What Causes Colon Cancer?
What causes the majority of colon cancers is unknown to doctors. Generally speaking, colon cancer starts when normal colonic cells experience DNA changes (mutations). The DNA of a cell carries a set of instructions that specify what to do by the cell.
Your body functions normally because healthy cells divide and expand in an organized fashion. However, when a cell's DNA is harmed and it develops cancer, it keeps dividing even when it is not necessary to create new cells. A tumor develops as the cells gather. Cancer cells have the potential to spread across neighboring healthy tissue with time, destroying it. In addition, malignant cells have the ability to spread to other body regions and accumulate there (metastasis).
What causes the majority of colon cancers is unknown to doctors. Generally speaking, colon cancer starts when normal colonic cells experience DNA changes (mutations). The DNA of a cell carries a set of instructions that specify what to do by the cell.
Your body functions normally because healthy cells divide and expand in an organized fashion. However, when a cell's DNA is harmed and it develops cancer, it keeps dividing even when it is not necessary to create new cells. A tumor develops as the cells gather. Cancer cells have the potential to spread across neighboring healthy tissue with time, destroying it. In addition, malignant cells have the ability to spread to other body regions and accumulate there (metastasis).
What are the Risk Factors of Colon Cancer?
Several elements can raise your risk of developing colon cancer, such as:
Several elements can raise your risk of developing colon cancer, such as:
- Although colon cancer can be found in people of any age, the majority of cases occur in those over 50. Doctors are unsure of the cause of the rise in colon cancer incidence in those under 50.
- Colon cancer is more likely to affect African-Americans than other races.
- You are more likely to get colon cancer in the future if you have previously had either malignant or noncancerous colon polyps.
- Colon cancer risk can be increased by long-term inflammatory conditions of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
- Your risk of developing colon cancer may be considerably increased by some gene mutations that have been passed down through your family's generations. Colon cancers associated with hereditary genes only make up a minor portion of all cases. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome, sometimes referred to as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, are the most prevalent genetic syndromes that raise the risk of colon cancer (HNPCC).
- If you have a blood relative who has had the disease, you are more likely to get colon cancer. You run an even higher risk if multiple family members have colon or rectal cancer.
- A typical diet that is high in calories, low in fiber, and high in fat and fat-related nutrients may be linked to colon and rectal cancer. There have been conflicting findings from this research. Consuming diets heavy in processed and red meat has been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer in some studies.
- The risk of colon cancer is higher in those who are inactive. Your risk of colon cancer may be lowered by engaging in regular physical activity.
- There is a higher risk of colon cancer in people with diabetes or insulin resistance.
- When compared to people who are considered to be of normal weight, obese individuals have a higher risk of developing colon cancer and a higher risk of dying from the disease.
- Smokers may be at increased risk for colon cancer.
- Colon cancer risk is increased by heavy alcohol consumption.
- The risk of colon cancer is increased by radiation therapy used to treat prior cancers in the abdomen.
How We Can Prevent Colon Cancer?
Doctors advise patients with a typical risk of colon cancer to think about getting screened around age 45. However, those who are at higher risk, like those who have a family history of colon cancer, should think about screening earlier.
By adopting adjustments to your daily routine, you can minimize your risk of developing colon cancer. Do the following:
Vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may help prevent cancer. To acquire a wide range of vitamins and nutrients, choose a selection of fruits and vegetables.
If you prefer to consume alcohol, keep your intake to no more than one drink for women and two for men per day.
Discuss quitting strategies that may be effective for you with your doctor.
Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes most days. Start out slowly and work your way up to 30 minutes if you haven't worked out in a while. Additionally, before beginning any workout regimen, see your doctor.
A good diet and regular exercise will help you maintain your weight if you are at a healthy weight. Consult your doctor about healthy weight loss strategies if you need to shed some pounds. Increasing your workout and cutting back on calories will help you lose weight more gradually.
Doctors advise patients with a typical risk of colon cancer to think about getting screened around age 45. However, those who are at higher risk, like those who have a family history of colon cancer, should think about screening earlier.
By adopting adjustments to your daily routine, you can minimize your risk of developing colon cancer. Do the following:
Vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may help prevent cancer. To acquire a wide range of vitamins and nutrients, choose a selection of fruits and vegetables.
If you prefer to consume alcohol, keep your intake to no more than one drink for women and two for men per day.
Discuss quitting strategies that may be effective for you with your doctor.
Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes most days. Start out slowly and work your way up to 30 minutes if you haven't worked out in a while. Additionally, before beginning any workout regimen, see your doctor.
A good diet and regular exercise will help you maintain your weight if you are at a healthy weight. Consult your doctor about healthy weight loss strategies if you need to shed some pounds. Increasing your workout and cutting back on calories will help you lose weight more gradually.
Diagnosis of Colon Cancer:
Your doctor may suggest one or more tests and procedures, such as the following if your symptoms and indicators suggest that you may have colon cancer:
Colonoscopy: The whole colon and rectum may be seen during a colonoscopy thanks to the use of a long, flexible, and thin tube connected to a camera and monitor. Your doctor may insert surgical instruments into the tube if any worrisome regions are discovered in order to extract tissue samples (biopsies) for analysis and remove polyps.
Blood Test: You cannot detect colon cancer using a blood test. However, your doctor may perform blood tests on you to gather information about your general health, such as kidney and liver function tests.
Additionally, a chemical occasionally created by colon tumors may be detected in blood tests by your doctor (carcinoembryonic antigen, or CEA). Your doctor may be able to gain insight into your prognosis and the effectiveness of treatment if the level of CEA in your blood is monitored over time.
Staging Tests: Imaging techniques include abdominal, pelvic, and chest CT scans may be used as staging tests. Frequently, it takes colon cancer surgery to fully diagnose the stage of your cancer.
Roman numerals ranging from 0 to IV are used to denote the stages of colon cancer, with the lowest stages denoting cancer that is restricted to the lining of the colon's interior. When a cancer reaches stage IV, it is thought to have progressed and to have metastasized (spread to other parts of the body).
Your doctor may suggest one or more tests and procedures, such as the following if your symptoms and indicators suggest that you may have colon cancer:
Colonoscopy: The whole colon and rectum may be seen during a colonoscopy thanks to the use of a long, flexible, and thin tube connected to a camera and monitor. Your doctor may insert surgical instruments into the tube if any worrisome regions are discovered in order to extract tissue samples (biopsies) for analysis and remove polyps.
Blood Test: You cannot detect colon cancer using a blood test. However, your doctor may perform blood tests on you to gather information about your general health, such as kidney and liver function tests.
Additionally, a chemical occasionally created by colon tumors may be detected in blood tests by your doctor (carcinoembryonic antigen, or CEA). Your doctor may be able to gain insight into your prognosis and the effectiveness of treatment if the level of CEA in your blood is monitored over time.
Staging Tests: Imaging techniques include abdominal, pelvic, and chest CT scans may be used as staging tests. Frequently, it takes colon cancer surgery to fully diagnose the stage of your cancer.
Roman numerals ranging from 0 to IV are used to denote the stages of colon cancer, with the lowest stages denoting cancer that is restricted to the lining of the colon's interior. When a cancer reaches stage IV, it is thought to have progressed and to have metastasized (spread to other parts of the body).
Colon Cancer Treatment:
Depending on your unique circumstances, including the location, stage, and other health issues affecting you, certain therapies may be more effective for you than others. Typically, surgery is used to remove the cancer from the colon as part of treatment. Also suggested therapies include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Depending on your unique circumstances, including the location, stage, and other health issues affecting you, certain therapies may be more effective for you than others. Typically, surgery is used to remove the cancer from the colon as part of treatment. Also suggested therapies include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- Early colon cancer treatment with surgery.
- Surgery for colon cancer that is more advanced
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation treatment
- Certain medication therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Support services
What is Colon Cancer Colon Cancer Stages Colon Cancer Colon Cancer Sign and Symptoms What Causes Colon Cancer Risk Factors of Colon Cancer How We Can Prevent Colon Cancer Diagnosis of Colon Cancer Colon Cancer Treatment Colonoscopy
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