Colon cancer is a type of cancer that affects the colon, or large intestine. Rectal cancer, which develops in the rectum (the lower 6 inches of the colon), is often grouped together with colon cancer and both cancers are referred to as colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.
Symptoms
Colon cancer can be difficult to detect because there are often no symptoms in the earliest stages of the disease. Symptoms depend on the location of the cancer and the size. Symptoms may include cramps, abdominal pain, gas, rectal bleeding, bloody stool, pain when having a bowel movement, fatigue, weakness, weight loss, a change in bowel habits or stool that looks different than normal over a period of several weeks.
Treatment Options
The treatment options your surgeon recommends will depend on the size, location and stage of the cancer. Surgery is the preferred treatment and is usually followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation.
Early Stage Procedures
Early stage cancer can often be removed without damaging the abdominal wall. This type of surgery, known as excision, can be done by placing a tube into the colon through the rectum and cutting out the tumor. Polypectomy, surgery to remove a cancerous polyp, can also be done through excision. Polyps are small, fleshy growths that develop in the lining of the colon. These growths are very common as people age and are non-cancerous in most cases. Polyps, if small enough, may even be removed during a colonoscopy. Larger polyps can be removed during laparoscopic surgery. Before this surgery, small incisions are made in the abdomen. A tiny camera mounted on a thin, flexible tube is inserted into one of these openings, allowing your doctor to see the cuts he makes on a video monitor. Laparascopic surgery significantly reduces recovery time and pain following surgery.
Resection
Resection is the type of surgery used for larger cancers and involves cutting out the cancerous area and a limited amount of healthy tissue surrounding the cancer. The remainder of the colon is then stitched together, if possible. In some cases, you will need a colostomy, either temporarily or permanently. During this procedure, an opening will be made in your abdominal wall. Your colon will be connected to the opening and stool will be collected in a bag outside of your body rather than passing through your rectum and anus.
Other Options
Cryotherapy, a treatment that freezes cancer cells, can be useful in some types of colon cancer, as can radiofrequency ablation, a procedure that uses electrodes to kill cancer cells. Targeted drug therapy may be used in cases of advanced cancer. In this therapy, medications stop tumors from developing new blood vessels or interfere with chemical signals that trigger cell reproduction.
Chemotherapy and Radiation
Chemotherapy and radiation may be used following surgery or as stand-alone treatments if surgery is not possible. Rapidly dividing cancer cells are destroyed by potent drugs during chemotherapy treatments. Radiation uses high amounts of targeted X-rays to destroy cancer cells in the colon. Both chemotherapy and radiation can also be used to shrink tumors prior to surgery.
Tags: cancer cells, abdominal wall, colon cancer, Colon cancer, following surgery