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Colon Cancer
By peace | December 22, 2006
Polyps in the colon. Some polyps have a stalk and others do not.
The colon absorbs water, electrolytes, and nutrients from food and transports them into the bloodstream. It is about 6 feet in length and consists of the cecum (connects to the small intestine at the cecal valve), the ascending colon (the vertical segment located on the right side of the abdomen), the transverse colon (extends across the abdomen), the descending colon (leads vertically down the left side of the abdomen), and the sigmoid colon (extends to the rectum).
Colon cancer (cancer of the large bowel) strikes 155,000 persons in the United States each year. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, exceeded only by lung cancer. Colon cancer can be treated and often cured if it is found early. Because death from colon cancer is preventable, doctors want to look for colon cancer before it grows too large or spreads to other organs. Testing persons without symptoms or signs of colon cancer (such as blood in the stool or low blood count) is called screening. Screening for colon cancer is recommended for everyone aged 50 years and older.
Age and health history can affect the risk of developing colon cancer.
Risk factors include the following:
- Age 50 or older.
- A family history of cancer of the colon or rectum.
- A personal history of cancer of the colon, rectum, ovary, endometrium, or breast.
- A history of polyps in the colon.
- A history of ulcerative colitis (ulcers in the lining of the large intestine) or Crohn’s disease.
- Certain hereditary conditions, such as familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC; Lynch Syndrome).
Possible signs of colon cancer include a change in bowel habits or blood in the stool.
These and other symptoms may be caused by colon cancer. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
- A change in bowel habits.
- Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool.
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely.
- Stools that are narrower than usual.
- Frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps.
- Weight loss for no known reason.
- Feeling very tired.
- Vomiting.
After colon cancer has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the colon or to other parts of the body.
The process used to find out if cancer has spread within the colon or to other parts of the body is called staging. The information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the disease. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment.
As colon cancer progresses from Stage 0 to Stage IV, the cancer cells grow through the layers of the colon wall and spread to lymph nodes and other organs.
Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ)
In stage 0, the cancer is found only in the innermost lining of the colon. Stage 0 cancer is also called carcinoma in situ.
Stage I
In stage I, the cancer has spread beyond the innermost tissue layer of the colon wall to the middle layers. Stage I colon cancer is sometimes called Dukes’ A colon cancer.
Stage II
Stage II colon cancer is divided into stage IIA and stage IIB.
- Stage IIA: Cancer has spread beyond the middle tissue layers of the colon wall or has spread to nearby tissues around the colon or rectum.
- Stage IIB: Cancer has spread beyond the colon wall into nearby organs and/or through the peritoneum.
Stage II colon cancer is sometimes called Dukes’ B colon cancer.
Stage III
Stage III colon cancer is divided into stage IIIA, stage IIIB, and stage IIIC.
1. Stage IIIA: Cancer has spread from the innermost tissue layer of the colon wall to the middle layers and has spread to as many as 3 lymph nodes.
2. Stage IIIB: Cancer has spread to as many as 3 nearby lymph nodes and has spread:
- beyond the middle tissue layers of the colon wall; or
- to nearby tissues around the colon or rectum; or
- beyond the colon wall into nearby organs and/or through the peritoneum.
3. Stage IIIC: Cancer has spread to 4 or more nearby lymph nodes and has spread:
- to or beyond the middle tissue layers of the colon wall; or
- to nearby tissues around the colon or rectum; or
- to nearby organs and/or through the peritoneum.
Stage III colon cancer is sometimes called Dukes’ C colon cancer.
Stage IV
In stage IV, cancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes and has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs. Stage IV colon cancer is sometimes called Dukes’ D colon cancer.
Recurrent Colon Cancer
Recurrent colon cancer is cancer that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The cancer may come back in the colon or in other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or both.
Topics: All Posts, Diseases, Man's health, Woman's Health |
