Colon Cancer Information on Symptoms and Stages. Colon Cancer. Colon Cancer Overview. The human colon, or large intestine, is a muscular, tube- shaped organ measuring about 4 feet long. It extends from the end of your small bowel to your anus. Typically the first or right portion of the colon which is called the ascending colon moves up from the lower right portion of the abdomen. The next portion, or transverse colon, moves across from the right to the left side of the upper abdomen. Next, the 3rd region or descending colon moves down the left side of your abdomen. Then an S shaped or sigmoid colon portion connects the rest of the colon to the rectum which ends at the anus. The colon has 3 main functions: To digest and absorb nutrients from food. To concentrate fecal material by absorbing fluid (and dissolved salts, also called electrolytes) from it. Colorectal cancer (colon cancer) is the cause of many cancer deaths. Learn about the warning signs, symptoms, screening process, stages, and treatment related to. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths and the third most common cancer in men. Screening tests to help find and often remove polyps. Colon Cancer Symptoms. Signs and symptoms of colon cancer tend not to be specific. In other words, the signs and symptoms can occur due to a number of different. Edit Article wiki How to Recognize Colon Cancer Symptoms. Two Parts: Identifying Colon Cancer Symptoms Catching Colon Cancer Early Community Q&A. Colorectal cancer. To store and control evacuation of fecal material. The right side of your colon plays a major role in absorbing water and electrolytes, while the left side is responsible for storage and evacuation of stool. Cancer is the transformation of normal cells. The transformed cells grow and multiply abnormally. Left untreated, these cancers grow and eventually spread through the colon wall to involve the adjacent lymph nodes and organs. Ultimately, they spread to distant organs such as the liver, lungs, brain, and bones. Cancers are dangerous because of their unbridled growth and potential for spread. They overwhelm healthy cells, tissues, and organs by taking their oxygen, nutrients, and space. Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas- tumors that develop from the glands lining the colon's inner wall. These cancers, or malignant tumors, are sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer, reflecting the fact that the rectum, the end portion of the colon, can also be affected. Anatomic differences in the rectum as compared to the rest of the colon require that these areas be separately recognized. In the United States, 1 in 1. According to reports from the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in US men. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in US women of Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, or Asian/Pacific Islander ancestry, and the third most common cancer in white and African American women. The overall incidence of colorectal cancer increased until 1. Deaths from colorectal cancer rank third after lung and prostate cancer for men and third after lung and breast cancer for women. Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 8/1. Medical Author. Robert J Fingerote, MD, MSc, BSc. Colon Cancer Pictures In Colonoscopy Diet For DiabeticsColon Cancer Pictures In Colonoscopy Diet RestrictionsMedical Editor. Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM. Medical Editor. Francisco Talavera, Pharm. D, Ph. D. Patient Comments & Reviews. The e. Medicine. Health doctors ask about Colon Cancer. Easy Colonoscopy Preparation or “Colon Prep” Your colon needs to be perfectly clean for the colonoscopy procedure to be accurate. It must be clear of any debris. Patient Comments & Reviews The eMedicineHealth doctors ask about Colon Cancer. About Colorectal Cancer. Get an overview of colorectal cancer and the latest key statistics in the US. Tests That Find Colorectal Cancer. Screening tests are key to an early diagnosis. Most people should have a colonoscopy every 10 years once they turn 50. Colon Cancer Pictures and Information. Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine or colon which is located at the lower section of the digestive system and should not be interchanged with rectal or anal cancer. To be more precise, colon is the first four to five feet of the large intestine while the last six inches are the rectum and anal canal. The canal ends at the opening of the large intestine to the outer part of the body also called anus. Together, colon and rectal cancer are usually referred to as colorectal cancer. Most cancer of the colon start as a small, benign or noncancerous cell clumps known as adenomatous polyps. If left undetected, some of the polyps become cancers. Doctors highly recommend screening tests on regular basis to identify polyps and prevent them from becoming cancer. Early detection lets a patient enjoy a longer life. Taking the five- year survival rate, 9. The rate drops to 6. If the cancer has already spread, then only 1. Foods high in cholesterol and fat have been connected to escalate the risk of colon cancer. According to American Cancer Society’s estimate, about 1. America. There is one in twenty individuals who will likely to have the cancer. Signs and Symptoms of Colon Cancer. Like most types of cancer, colon cancer does not show any symptoms at early stages. There are also times when the signs are all pointing to the said cancer but the patient usually ignores the possibility. Colon and anal cancer often have the same signs and symptoms and most of the time they come together and they are called colorectal cancer. The symptoms include pain in the lower part of your abdominal area; diarrhea for more than several days; change in stool’s consistency; notable change in bowel habits; there’s abdominal pain whenever you have bowel movement; narrow stools; cramps and gas pain; a feeling that the bowel does not completely clear out; presence of abdominal mass or there is hardness in the belly; presence of blood in the stool or there’s rectal bleeding; anemia; and mysterious weight loss. Patient education: Colon and rectal cancer screening (Beyond the Basics). Risk Factors and Prevention. There are many things that can pave way to cancer of the colon and among them are diets rich in fats; obesity; processed or red meat; family history of the said disease; drinking too much alcohol; age; and smoking. These risk factors can be easily prevented except family history and age, but you can do something about it to keep the disease under control or not let it into your life. Your immediate action can spare your life. The moment you noticed the symptoms don’t hesitate to visit your doctor. Nothing is better than an ounce of prevention. Whether you like or not, age is something that no one can prevent from adding. Regular screening is a must when you are in your golden age already in order to prevent the cancer from manifesting. Eat a balanced diet and keep regular exercise in order to maintain the right weight – follow this and you are some few steps away from contacting the disease. Know your family medical history and try genetic counseling. You should discuss everything with your doctor so that he or she will be able to help you. Ask for recommendations if you need to see a different specialist for some reasons. Avoid smoking and refrain from drinking alcohol beyond what is considered minimal and normal. If you think you will not be able to stop once you started, then don’t spark anything that will lead you to drinking too much – stay away from alcoholic drinks. Ways to Analyze the Cancer– FOBT or Fecal Occult Blood Test is a test that checks for possible presence of blood in the stool because polyps can bleed. Sample stool is tested for traces of blood and if the test is positive, then expect more tests to come in order to pinpoint the real cause of such occurrence.– Colonoscopy is probably the most popular where the rectum is examined as well as the entire colon using colonoscope (a lighted tool or instrument). It makes it possible for the doctor to see the whole colon. If the doctor detected a polyp, he or she may remove it. If there is abnormality, then a biopsy might be needed wherein a small piece of tissue is gathered through the colonoscope. The sample will be sent to the laboratory to be analyzed.– Virtual colonoscopy can be compared to a super x- ray dedicated for the colon. Air is pumped into the colon to expand it then followed by a special CT scan. Treatment Options. Colon cancer treatment may use radiation therapy, surgery, or chemotherapy – depending on the stage of the cancer. Some might need combinations of treatments in order to get the favorable results. Surgery is the most typical treatment for this kind of cancer. A malignant polyp may be removed using colonoscope provided that it is still small. For larger cancer, the surgeon needs to make an incision and then remove the problem. The doctor will also check nearby areas if there are still other affected parts. The doctor will discuss the procedure with you first prior to the operation. Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to attack the problematic cells and eliminate them. The patient can have it alone or with other treatments. Chemo before surgery or neoadjuvant therapy may shrink a big tumor. Chemotherapy after a surgery is called adjuvant therapy and it is used to destroy left over cancer cells and prevent it from spreading. Radiation therapy uses high- energy rays to eliminate the problem. It is a local therapy and that means it only affects cancer cells in the treated area. Research and studies are still ongoing to find the best solution and cure for colon cancer. In this modern day and age nothing is impossible anymore.
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