Colon Cancer-Causes, Symptoms, Signs & Treatment
Colon is the longest part of the large intestine and lowermost part of the digestive system. Colon cancer or colorectal is the second major cause of cancer death. The disease is slightly more common in men than women and the risk of colon cancer increases with age. Water and salt from the solid waste after digestion from small intestine get extracted inside the colon, before it moves into the rectum for elimination from the body.
What Is Colon Cancer?
Causes Of Colon Cancer:
Genetics –20 % of colon cancers are caused by inherited mutations in the genes
Polyps- Adenomas and inflammatory polyps may become cancerous
Habits And Diet- Sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol consumption, low fiber diets, fat and calorie rich diets , red meat etc increases the chance of colon cancer
Certain Medical Factors- Health conditions such as diabetes, ulcerative colitis, acromegaly, Crohn’s disease and radiation treatment for other cancers increases the risk of colon cancer.
Symptoms Of Colon Cancer:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Changes in stool consistency
- Stomach pain
- Weight loss
- Blood in stool or rectal bleeding
- Continual urges to defecate
- Anemia
- Irritable bowel syndrome
When cancer metastasizes or spreads to other parts, additional symptoms will be present in the newly affected area. The liver is the most common place for metastasis.
Colon Cancer Symptoms In Men:
• Change in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea
• Narrowing of stools that lasts more than a few days
• Rectal bleeding, blood in the stool or dark stools
• Unintended weight loss
• Weakness and fatigue
Colon Cancer Symptoms In Women:
• Changes in bowel movement including constipation or diarrhea
• Feeling of not able to empty the bowel completely
• Rectal cramping or rectal bleeding
• Blood in stool or thin stools
• Abdominal discomfort and bloating
• Unexplained fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss
• Pelvic pain
Signs Of Colon Cancer:
• Fatigue and weakness
• Shortness of breath
The tumor in the left part of the colon is likely to cause partial or complete bowel obstruction. The most common signs include
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Red or dark blood in stool
• Abdominal pain
• Stomach cramps and bloating
• Weight loss
Metastatic Colon Cancer:
Colon Cancer Stages:
Colon Cancer Surgery:
Colon Cancer Treatment:
- Chemotherapy- This uses chemicals which destroy the cancer cells. It is highly effective for metastasized cancer. There are side effects such as hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and vomiting for this treatment.
- Radiation Therapy – This use high energy gamma rays to destroy cancer cells. These are effective in shrinking tumors. Side effects of radiation therapy include mild skin changes like sunburn or suntan, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. Patients tend to lose their appetites experience weight loss, but most of these side effects subside a few weeks after completing treatment.
- Surgery- If the colon cancer is causing symptoms it is better to operate, to remove the affected colon part. Your doctor will be able to suggest the best treatment option for you after considering various factors.
Regular screening is the best method to detect and prevent colon cancer. Keeping healthy weight, consumption of fiber containing fruits and vegetables, reducing fat and red meat intake and exercising also helps to prevent colon cancer.