Colon Cancer

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrolled and form a mass, or tumour, in your large intestine. Doctors often refer to it as ‘colorectal cancer’ because a malignancy can arise in either the colon or the rectum. (The colon is in your abdomen. It leads to the rectum, which is just above the anus.)

Many colorectal cancers begin in a polyp that eventually forms a tumour. Left untreated, the tumour can bleed, obstruct your intestines, or break through your bowel wall. In time, cancer cells may spread to lymph nodes or to other organs, such as the liver or lungs.

Who is at risk for colon cancer?

Usually slow-growing, colorectal cancers often originate in a cell with genetic mutations. Some people inherit genes that allow cells causing colon cancer to develop. More often, the abnormalities arise for unknown reasons, though diet appears to play an important role.

Treatment for colon cancer

Cancer of the colon and rectum is one of the most treatable of all cancers. The choice of treatments usually depends on the stage of the disease. Patients of all ages, including the very old, can benefit. For most people, surgery to remove the tumour is the first step. Depending on the degree of spread and the location of the tumour, cancer-fighting chemotherapy drugs besides radiation therapy may also be used to increase your chances of complete cure. Doctors who specialize in cancer care (oncologists) refer to drugs used after surgery to kill any remaining microscopic cancer cells as ‘adjuvant chemotherapy.’ Your treatment will be keyed to the stage of your cancer.

The post Colon Cancer appeared first on Masalamah.com.