At the very end of the digestive system is the colon. Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, usually starts in the large intestine or colon and usually manifests as benign cell clusters called polyps that can be seen on the colon's interior. Some polyps have the potential to develop into cancer over time, which can result in colorectal cancer.
Since polyps don't usually cause any noticeable symptoms, routine colorectal cancer screenings are crucial as a preventive measure. But if colorectal cancer still strikes, there are several treatment options available, including chemotherapy, surgery, medication therapies, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy, among others.
Look for signs of colon cancer such as altered bowel habits, blood in the stools, rectal bleeding, persistent abdominal pain, exhaustion, or unexplained weight loss. You may, however, not experience any symptoms in the early stages of colorectal cancer.
Chronic inflammatory bowel illnesses, family history of colon cancer, older age, prior history of colon cancer or polyps, prior history of colorectal cancer, decreased physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, increased smoking, etc. are some risk factors for colon cancer.
Colonoscopy is one of the diagnostic procedures for colon cancer (using a scope to look at the inside of your colon). It's vital to understand that blood tests cannot be used to diagnose colon cancer. However, your specialist doctor can check your blood for certain chemicals created during colon cancer to see if they are present. Additionally useful for providing information about your general health are kidney and liver function tests. You will be required to have imaging tests like chest, pelvic, and abdominal CT scans if colon cancer has been identified.
The stage and location of your colon cancer will determine your treatment options. Minimally invasive surgery is a good alternative for cancer that is in the early stages. These consist of:
Polypectomy: During a colonoscopy, polyps that are extremely early stages of cancer are removed.
Laparoscopic surgery: When a colonoscopy cannot remove a particular polyp, laparoscopic surgery is used to remove it.
Endoscopic mucosal resection: Larger polyps and a little part of the colon's inner lining are removed using this treatment.
Your surgeon may suggest one of the following procedures if your colon cancer is in an advanced stage:
Partial colectomy: The area of the colon with the cancer, as well as some healthy tissue nearby, are removed. The surgeon will then reattach the colon and rectum's healthy portions.
Ostomy: In order for the waste to exit your body, an incision must be made in the abdomen during this process. Stools are removed in a bag that is suitably positioned over the opening. Depending on the patient's condition, an ostomy may be either temporary (to let your colon and rectum to heal following surgery) or permanent.
Removal of lymph node: In order to check for cancer, it is occasionally necessary to remove lymph nodes close to the colon.
You may need to have chemotherapy, radiation treatment, targeted medication therapy, or immunotherapy at your doctor's advice if the disease has advanced further.
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