Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). Such cancer is sometimes referred to as "colorectal cancer."

Other types of colon cancer such as lymphoma, carcinoid tumors, melanoma, and sarcomas are rare. In this article, use of the term "colon cancer" refers to colon carcinoma and not these rare types of colon cancer.

Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. The following symptoms, however, may indicate colon cancer:

• Diarrhea, constipation, or other change in bowel habits
• Blood in the stool
• Unexplained anemia
• Abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen
• Intestinal obstruction
• Weight loss with no known reason
• Narrow stools

With proper screening, colon cancer can be detected BEFORE the development of symptoms, when it is most curable.