Colon cancer comes from the large intestine and is the most common type of cancer. The risk of colon cancer is high in certain groups and races, as well as in people living in industrialized Western countries. The good news is that colon cancer also has a very high rate of treatment and survival.
Bowel cancer is also known as colo-rectal cancer. The large intestine has two stages: the upper part of the colon and the lower part of the anus or rectum. The colon absorbs water and nutrients during digestion. The rectum, on the other hand, works to detoxify the body. There are four parts of the colon, and cancer can begin to develop in any of these parts.
The growth of cancer in the colon usually begins as a polyp. Polyp is the growth of small tissues. This polyp will grow into a colon and if left untreated can lead to cancer over time. A type of polyp, called adenomacan, is the primary seed of colon cancer. On average, it takes 5-10 years for a polyp to reach a diameter of 0.5 inches. This takes another 5-10 years for the cancer to grow.
Although 20 years seems to be enough to detect and treat cancer growth, it is difficult to detect cancer growth for several years. Fortunately, there are many diagnostic methods available to successfully detect any growth of cancer or polyps. Other common techniques used to diagnose and treat colon cancer are barium enemas, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and biopsy. Apart from this, patients can be tested to see if there is any bloody stool or unexplained iron deficiency to see if there is any polyp or cancer growing.
Depending on the stage of the cancer patient's progression, several treatments may be available. If the patient decides to continue treatment, he or she may also wish to see another doctor for a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis and recommendation. A good result is to completely eradicate the cancer but, if that is not possible, a doctor may be able to prevent the cancer from spreading or alleviating the symptoms and discomfort of the patient.
Assuming that the patient's health will allow you, and wishing you to continue treatment, is the key to surgical treatment. Depending on the location and severity of the cancer, the doctor may be able to remove all or part of the colon. If the polyp is the only cancer known to exist, it may be all that needs to be removed. In some cases of colon cancer, the patient should undergo a progressive colostomy after surgery. This occurs when the cancer has progressed to the point where it forces the doctor to remove the entire colon.
Another common treatment for colon cancer is for the patient to start a series of chemotherapy regimens. This procedure includes taking anti-cancer drugs, which can be taken orally or delivered through a patient's veins. This option is usually very helpful in removing the patient from any remaining cancer cells after surgery. In addition, chemotherapy may be used to control cancer growth, relieve symptoms, and prolong life. Radiation therapy, commonly used with chemotherapy to combat various cancers, is not a medical procedure used to treat patients with colon cancer after surgery.
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