Definition
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.
Symptoms
Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. The following symptoms, however, may indicate colon cancer:
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Definition
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.
Symptoms
Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. The following symptoms, however, may indicate colon cancer:
With proper screening, colon cancer can be detected BEFORE the development of symptoms, when it is most curable.
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Causes
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. (However, in almost all cases, early diagnosis can lead to a complete cure.)
There is no single cause for colon cancer. Nearly all colon cancers begin as benign polyps, which slowly develop into cancer.
You have a higher risk for colon cancer if you have:
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Treatment
Treatment depends partly on the stage of the cancer. In general, treatments may include:
- Chemotherapy medicines to kill cancer cells
- Surgery to remove cancer cells
- Radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tissue
Stage 0 colon cancer may be treated by removing the cancer cells, often during a colonoscopy. For stages I, II, and III cancer, more extensive surgery is needed to remove the part of the colon that is cancerous. (See: Colon resection .)
There is some debate as to whether patients with stage II colon cancer should receive chemotherapy after surgery. You should discuss this with your oncologist.
Almost all patients with stage III colon cancer should receive chemotherapy after surgery for approximately 6 - ...
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Other Names
Colorectal cancer; Cancer - colon
Possible Complications
- Cancer spreading to other organs or tissues ( metastasis )
- Recurrence of carcinoma within the colon
- Development of a second primary colorectal cancer
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Outlook (Prognosis)
How well a patient does depends on many things, including the stage of the cancer. In general, when treated at an early stage, more than 90% of patients survive at least 5 years after their diagnosis. (This is called the 5-year survival rate.) However, only about 39% of colorectal cancer is found at an early stage. The 5-year survival rate drops considerably once the cancer has spread.
If the patient's colon cancer does not come back (recur) within 5 years, it is considered cured. Stage I, II, and III cancers are considered potentially curable. In most cases, stage IV cancer is not curable.
Prevention
The death rate for colon cancer has dropped in the last 15 years. This may be due to increased awareness and screening by colonoscopy. Colon cancer can almost always be caught in its earliest and most curable stages by colonoscopy. Almost all men and women age 50 and older should have a colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is almost always painless and most patients are asleep for the entire procedure.
For information on this procedure, see colonoscopy .
Dietary and lifestyle modifications are important. Some evidence suggests that low-fat and high-fiber diets may reduce your risk of colon cancer.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against taking aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines to prevent colon cancer if you have an average risk of the ...
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Exams and Tests
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and press on your belly area. The physical exam rarely shows any problems, although an abdominal mass may be felt. A rectal exam may reveal a mass in patients with rectal cancer, but not colon cancer.
Imaging tests to diagnose colorectal cancer include:
Note: Only colonoscopy can see the entire colon.
A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) may detect small amounts of blood in the stool, which could suggest colon cancer. However, this test is often negative in patients with colon cancer. For this reason, a FOBT must be done along with colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. It is also important to note that a positive FOBT doesn't necessarily mean you ...
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References
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Routine Aspirin or Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs for the Primary Prevention of Colorectal Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Ann Intern Med . 2007 Mar 6;146 (5): 361-364.
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2006. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2006.
