Understanding Colon Cancer: Signs, Symptoms and Treatments
According to the World Cancer Research Fund, colon cancer is the third most common form of cancer in the world today. While official figures have not yet been released, it is estimated that more than 53,000 Americans died as a result of colon cancer in 2020 alone. Over 104,00 new cases are expected in 2021, according to the American Cancer Society.
Colon cancer is often referred to as a colorectal cancer, as it is grouped with cancers of the rectum. Both the colon and rectum make up the lower digestive tract, or large intestine. Colorectal cancer occurs when cells in either the colon or rectum are damaged and begin to grow at a rapid rate, forming malignant tumors that may spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.
Types
Adenocarcinomas (which begin in the lining of the large intestine) of the colon and rectum is the most common type, accounting for 95 percent of all cases. The other types of colon cancer include:
- Primary colorectal lymphomas – Begins in the lymph nodes and spreads to the colon. It accounts for less than 0.5% of all cases.
- Carcinoid tumors – Begins in the gastrointestinal nerve cells and accounts for less than 1% of all cases.
- Stromal tumors – This extremely rare cancer begins in the stomach and spreads to the large intestine.
- Leiomyosarcomas – The rarest form (0.1% of cases) of colon cancer which begins in the muscle of the large intestine.
Early Signs and Symptoms
The early symptoms of colon cancer are often mild and therefore go unnoticed. In fact, they can seem to point to nothing more than an upset stomach or the flu.
When the disease first starts, small clumps of cells form inside the colon. These become polyps, which, over time, become cancerous. However, in the early stages, polyps don’t create symptoms.
The most common symptoms of colon cancer are:
- Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
- Persistent diarrhea or constipation
- A feeling of not fully emptying the bowel
- Unusual stool consistency
- Weight loss
- Weakness and fatigue
- Persistent bloating, stomach cramps, nausea, or indigestion
- Jaundice, in later stages
Treatment Options
Colon cancer is highly treatable when caught early with a 90 recent five-year survival rate for localized cases.
Since age is the biggest risk factor, with 90% of all colon cancer cases occurring in people over 50 years old, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend routine screening for people 50+.
Treatment often includes surgery to remove the cancer. Surgical options for colorectal cancer include:
- Surgical resection – The most common treatment which involves the removal of the tumor and a margin of surrounding healthy tissue.
- Colostomy – Involves creating a stoma through which the colon is connected to the abdominal surface to allow waste to exit the body, collected in a pouch worn by the patient.
- Chemotherapy – Medicine taken orally or intravenously to kill cancer cells
- Radiotherapy – Beams of high-strength radiation target cancerous cells
Which treatment or combination of treatments a doctor recommends will depend on the type and stage of the cancer, the patient’s overall health, and side-effects.
Search online for more information about this disease. If you have concerns, are experiencing any changes in your bowels, or have any of the specific symptoms discussed, book an exam with your doctor immediately.