Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer, is cancer that begins in the large intestine (colon) or rectum (end of the colon).
The colon can be affected by other types of cancer, such as lymphoma, carcinoid tumors, melanoma and sarcomas. These are rare. Here we will talk about colon carcinoma.
The American Cancer Society states that colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in the United States. He warns that if diagnosed early it can lead to a complete cure.
Colon cancer starts in glands in the lining of the colon and rectum.
There is no single cause of colon cancer and almost all begin as noncancerous (benign) polyps that slowly develop into cancer.
Groups of risk
The risk group considered occurs in: people over 60 years of age; Afro-descendant or Eastern European descent; people who have a diet with a lot of red or processed meat; people who have cancer elsewhere in the body; if you have colorectal polyps; have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis); people who have a family history of colon cancer, have a personal history of breast cancer. Certain genetic syndromes may increase the risk of developing colon cancer. Two of the most common are: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), also known as Lynch syndrome. Abdominal fat may also increase your risk of colon cancer.
Healthy eating habits, including vegetables and brown rice, protect against colon cancer. A diet high in fat, low fiber and red meat can influence the development of this type of cancer. Recent studies have not yet concluded whether this link is clear, but they point to influences. Smoking and drinking alcohol are other risk factors for colorectal cancer.
What exams are carried out
The doctor performs a physical examination and presses on the abdominal area. This exam rarely shows any problems, but the doctor may feel a lump (mass) in the abdomen.
When a rectal exam is performed, it may reveal a mass in patients with rectal cancer, but it does not reveal colon cancer.
The fecal occult blood test is capable of detecting small amounts of blood in the stool, which may suggest colon cancer. However, this test is often negative in patients with colon cancer.
For this reason, a fecal occult blood test should be done along with a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. A positive fecal occult blood test can also mean that the patient has cancer.
Imaging tests to identify and possibly diagnose colorectal cancer include: Colonoscopy and Sigmoidoscopy. Only colonoscopy can see the entire colon, which is considered the best test for identifying cancer.
Blood tests that may be performed include: Complete blood count to check for anemia and liver function tests. Blood tests to detect tumor markers, including carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA 19-9, help the doctor monitor the patient during and after treatment.
If the doctor has information about the presence of colorectal cancer, they will order more tests and these will be carried out to check the spread of the cancer. This is called staging. CT or MRI scans of the abdomen, pelvic area, chest, or brain may be used to stage cancer. Sometimes positron emission tomography (PET) scans are also used.
Some stages are presented for colon cancer:
– Stage 0: Very early cancer in the innermost layer of the intestine;
– Stage I: Cancer in the inner layers of the colon;
– Stage II: Cancer that has spread through the muscular wall of the colon;
– Stage III: Cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes;
– Stage IV: Cancer that has spread to other organs.
Symptoms
Some symptoms of Colon Cancer: Many cases have no symptoms. But the following symptoms may indicate colon cancer: abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen, blood in the stool, diarrhea, constipation or other change in bowel habits, narrow stools, weight loss for no known reason.
If you detect tar-black feces, blood during bowel movements and changes in bowel habits, seek medical help.
