What is colon cancer?
Colon cancer is
also known as colorectal cancer. Colon cancer develops in the colon or rectum.
The rectum is located in the last few inches of the colon. Colon cancer typically
starts as small polyps. Most colon polyps are noncancerous but in some cases,
it can also be cancerous.
Causes of colon
cancer
The exact cause
of colon cancer is still unknown. However, doctors have concluded that certain
factors can contribute to developing colon cancer.
• High-fat diet.
• Chronic ulcerative colitis.
• Polyps in the colon.
• The family history of colorectal cancer.
Symptoms of colon cancer
Patients with
colon cancer may not have any symptoms. Symptoms for this cancer can very mild.
Following are some of the symptoms.
• Unexplained fatigue.
• Constipation.
• Bleeding from the anus.
• Loose stool.
• Diarrhoea.
• Pencil-shaped stool.
• Abdominal discomfort.
• Dark patches in the stool.
• Loss of appetite.
• Weight loss.
Stages of colon
cancer
Stage 0: - This
is the earliest stage of malignancy diagnosis. In this stage, there are
abnormal cells in the inner walls of the colon. The cells can become more
cancerous with time and spread past the point.
Stage I: - In
this stage cancer spread past the inner walls of the colon and into the muscle
layers of the colon.
Stage II: - In
this stage the tumor extends past the muscular wall of the colon and into the
outer layer of the wall.
Stage III: - In
this stage the tumor spreads past the serosa and into the lymph nodes. Cancer
may also form tissue around or close to the lymph node gland.
Stage IV: - This
is the most progressive phase of colon disease. In this stage, malignancy
spread to different organs in the body, for example, the lungs or cerebrum.
Treatment for
colon cancer
There are mainly
three types of treatment for colon cancer which depends on the stage of cancer
and overall health of the patient:-
·
Surgery
1.
Surgery for early-stage colon cancer:-
If the colon
cancer is detected at an early-stage the doctors may be able to remove it
completely during a colonoscopy. Larger
polyps are uprooted using endoscopic mucosal resection. In case if the polyps
can’t be removed completely during colonoscopy then the surgeon performs
laparoscopic surgery.
2.
Surgery for invasive colon cancer:-
If cancer has
developed into the colon the surgeon may recommend a partial colectomy to
uproot the part of the colon that contains tumor, alongside with a margin of
normal tissue on either side of malignancy. The nearby lymph nodes are also
removed and tested for cancer.
The surgeon generally reconnects the healthy
portions of the colon or rectum but in case if it is not possible then the surgeon
performs permanent or temporary colostomy which involves creating an opening in
the wall of the abdomen from a portion of the remaining bowel for the
elimination of body waste into a special bag.
3.
Surgery for advanced cancer:-
In case if the
patient has propelled cancer and very poor health the surgeon recommends an
operation to relieve a blockage of the colon or other conditions in order to
improve the symptoms in patients. Surgery for advanced cancer does not cure
cancer, but it relieves signs and symptoms, such as bleeding and pain.
In case if cancer
has spread only to the liver of the patient and has overall good health then
the surgeons may recommend a surgery to remove the cancerous lesion from the
liver.
Chemotherapy:-
Chemotherapy:-
Chemotherapy uses
drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is usually given after surgery if
cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Chemotherapy helps in reducing the risk
of cancer recurrence. In case, if a patient is suffering from rectal cancer,
chemotherapy is used along with radiation therapy.
·
Radiation therapy:-
In radiation
therapy procedure powerful source of energies such as X-rays is used to kill
cancer cells that are left behind after the surgery. This therapy shrinks large
tumors before an operation so that they can be removed more easily. Radiation
therapy is also used to relieve symptoms of colon cancer and rectal cancer.
Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy are usually combined after the surgery to
reduce the risk of recurring cancer in the area.
Colon cancer treatment in India
Treatment for
cancer can be very expensive in other countries but cancer treatment is
available in India at very moderate prices. Advance medical treatment for colon
cancer is available in India with the use of latest technology and equipment.
Cancer treatments have huge success in India due to the availability of highly
skilled and experienced doctors in India. Travcure medical tourism company helps you find the best surgeons in India to treat colon
cancer. Consultants at Travcure help to find the best deals for their patients
at reasonable prices. Extensive variety of services is offered by Travcure
right from right from arranging medical procedures to visits to exotic
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