The colon is an organ that is part of the human digestive system. It lies on the first 4-6 feet of the large intestines. It is the organ responsible for removing water from stool and helping the digestive system pass waste materials out of the body.While the colon performs a very important task in the body, it could also be at risk of colon cancer. Colon cancer is a type of cancer where malignant cells form in the colon tissues.
Colon Cancer Risk Factors
There are certain risk factors associated with colon cancer. Older people, particularly those 50 years old or older, have a greater risk of developing colon cancer.
Those who have a family history of rectal or colon cancer may also be at great risk.
People who have a personal history of breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, rectal cancer and colon cancer also have an increased risk of developing this type of cancer.
Other risk factors include a history of Crohn’s disease, colon polyps and ulcerative colitis as well as certain hereditary conditions like hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer and familial adenomatous polyposis.
Colon Cancer Symptoms
Like other types of cancer, colon cancer does not show early symptoms. In some cases, a person with an early stage of colon cancer may experience some of the symptoms listed below.
- irregular bowel habits
- blood in the stool
- constipation
- diarrhea
- narrower stools
- frequent bloating
- gas pains
- cramps or fullness
- vomiting
- feeling very tired
- sudden weight loss for no clear reasons
Colon Cancer Diagnosis
Colon cancer is diagnosed through different tests. These include:
- Barium enema;
- Colonoscopy;
- Sigmoidoscopy;
- FOBT (Fecal occult blood test); and
- digital rectal exam.
Colon Cancer Stages
Colon cancer is staged or classified based on how far and what areas or parts of the body the tumor has already invaded. The stages of colon cancer include stages 0-4 and recurrent colon cancer.
Colon Cancer Treatment
After the colon cancer stage has been identified, the patient is provided with different treatment options. These treatment options usually include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.
Some patients receive more than one colon cancer treatment. The choice of treatment mainly depends on how far the cancer has progressed.
The doctor will carefully explain and describe the treatments and what results the patient should expect. The doctor and the patient must work together in developing the best treatment plan that satisfies the patient’s medical needs as well as his or her personal values. Moreover, choosing the most appropriate treatment is a decision that generally involves the patient, the healthcare team and the patient’s family.
No comments:
Post a Comment