Colon cancer usually starts when small clumps of cells called polyps form in the lining of the colon. While some of these colon polyps are benign, others can develop into cancer. In addition to polyps, colon cancer can also be caused by tumors that form due to uncontrolled growth of healthy cells in the lining of the colon. Read on to learn more about colon cancer.
What are the different types of colon cancer?
- Adenocarcinoma– This is the most common type of colon cancer, accounting for 95% of all colon cancer cases.
Adenocarcinomas form in the cells lining the colon or rectum. In addition to the colon, these tumors can also gather in various organs of the body, including the lungs, chest, and more.
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)– The tumor starts in the muscle tissue of the colon. It can be benign or it can develop into cancer. When this tumor develops into cancer, it is called a sarcoma.
- Lymphoma– This cancer starts in the lymph nodes, which are an important part of the immune system. In addition to the lymph nodes, it can also start in the rectum or colon. Lymphoma is divided into two major categories: Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Carcinoids– These tumors grow gradually and usually start in the stomach, appendix, colon, rectum, small intestine, or lungs.
What are the symptoms of colon cancer?
The warning signs and symptoms of colon cancer can be roughly divided into two categories: local and systemic.
Local symptoms of colon cancer
Local symptoms of colon cancer tend to affect the colon and rectum directly.
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Changes in bowel movements
- Abdominal bloating with cramping
- Incomplete bowel movements
- Stools that are thinner than normal
Systemic symptoms of colon cancer
Systemic symptoms of colon cancer affect the entire body.
- Weakness and tiredness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anemia
- Jaundice
- Unexpected loss of appetite
What are the risk factors for colon cancer?
- Risk factors for colon cancer generally include family history, personal medical history, lifestyle, and age.
- These risk factors are similar in men and women. However, lifestyle choices, such as lack of physical activity and an unhealthy diet, can differ and lead to an increased risk of colon cancer.
- While the risk factors and causes are largely similar between men and women, colon cancer occurs slightly more often in men than in women.
What are the different treatment options for colon cancer?
- Surgery – Surgery involves removing the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue. Some parts of the healthy colon, rectum, or lymph nodes may also be removed during surgery. Surgical options for colon cancer include laparoscopic surgery, colostomy for rectal cancer, and radiofrequency ablation.
- Radiation therapy– This therapy uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. There are different types of radiation therapy, including external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy.
- Chemotherapy– During chemotherapy, doctors use drugs to destroy cancer cells by blocking their ability to grow and divide.
Who are the specialists who treat colon cancer?
Basically, there are 5 specialists dedicated to the treatment of colon cancer.
- Gastroenterologists – Treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Surgical oncologists – Treat colon cancer with surgery.
- Colorectal surgeons – Treat diseases of the colon and rectum with surgery
- Radiation oncologists – Treat cancer (colon) with radiation therapy.
- Medical oncologists – Treat colon cancer with drugs.
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