Colon Cancer
When
cancer cells are formed in the tissues present
in the wall of the colon, colon
cancer occurs. The digestive system of the
body contains a part that is known as colon. The
function of the digestive system is to absorb
the useful parts of food such as minerals, fats,
carbohydrates, vitamins, water and proteins and
then transfer the waste material out of the body
through anal canal or rectum.
Risk Factors
- If a person is of age more than 50 years,
then there are chances for colon cancer to occur.
- If a person has some relatives or family
members that had been suffering from colon cancer
then there are greater chances for that person
to get involved in the same disease too.
- If a person has already suffered from the cancers of rectum,
breast, colon, ovary or endometrium.
- If a person has been found to have polyps
in the colon then the chances for colon cancer
are more.
- If a person has previous history of suffering
from crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerative colitis is a disease in which ulcers
are found in the lining of the large intestine.
- A person is more likely to suffer from colon
cancer if certain hereditary conditions are
found such as hereditary non polyposis and familial
adenomatous polyposis colon cancer.
Symptoms
There are certain symptoms that indicate the presence
of colon cancer. If all or any of them are found
in a person then a doctor should be consulted
to take the immediate steps.
Some of the symptoms include:
- When changes in bowel habits are found.
- When a person finds blood in the stool.
- When a person feels suffering from constipation,
diarrhea.
- When a person feels that bowel does not empty
completely on regular basis.
- When a person observes that the stools are
becoming narrower than usual.
- When a person starts feeling discomfort in
the abdomen. These discomforts may be bloating,
cramps, frequent gas pains or fullness.
- When weight is found to be quickly lost without
any reason.
- When a person feels constant tiredness.
- When vomiting becomes a habit
Diagnosis
There are certain tests that are used to diagnose
colon cancer. Some of them are mentioned below:
- History and Physical
Examination Initially, the body
is examined to find out general sign of health.
Signs of disease are checked such as the appearance
of unusual growths or lumps. A record is maintained
about the past illness and treatments of the
patients and the health habits are also noted.
- Fecal Occult Blood
Test In this test, blood is
checked in the stool. This can only be seen
with the help of a microscope.
- Digital Rectal Examination in this examination, the rectum is checked for
any abnormal growth or lumps.
- Barium Enema This process is also known as GI series.
In this process, first barium that is a silver-white
metallic compound with a liquid is put inside
the rectum. The lower gastrointestinal tract
becomes coated with barium and then a serious
of x-rays are taken to find out any abnormal
growth or lumps.
- Sigmoidoscopy the rectum and lower part of colon are
checked for any abnormal growth, cancer or polyps
in this procedure. In this process, a lighted
thin tube that is called sigmoidoscope is inserted
inside the rectum.
- Colonoscopy
- Virtual colonoscopy
- Biopsy
Treatment Of Colon Cancer
There are three standard treatments that are used;
- Surgery this is the most common treatment
done for all types of cancers. In this treatment,
the affected portion of colon is removed in
an operation.
- Chemotherapy in this method, the
growth of cancer cells is stopped with the help
of drugs. These drugs either stop the division
of cancer cells or kill them.
- Radiation Therapy in this method,
high-energy x-rays or some other radiations
are used for killing cancer cells.
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