5 essential questions answered on colon cancer

Colon cancer often begins when a small clump of cells called polyps form on the colon lining. While some of these colon polyps are benign, others can develop into cancer. Apart from polyps, colon cancer can also develop from a tumor, which forms in the lining of the colon due to the uncontrolled growth of healthy cells. Read on to know more about colon cancer.

What are the different types of colon cancer?

• Adenocarcinomas – This is the most common type of colon cancer that makes up 95% of all the colon cancer cases. Adenocarcinomas develop in the cells of the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Apart from the colon, these tumors can get built up on different organs of the body that include lung, breasts etc.
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) – The tumor begins in colon’s muscle tissue. It can either be benign or turn into cancer. When this tumor turns into a cancer, it is called sarcomas.
• Lymphoma – This cancer starts in the lymph nodes, which is an essential part of the immune system. Apart from the lymph nodes, it can also start in the rectum or colon. There are two main categories lymphomas fall into: Hodgkin disease and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Carcinoids – These are tumors that grow gradually and often begin in the stomach, appendix, colon, rectum, small intestine, or lungs.

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

The warning signs and symptoms of colon cancer can be broadly divided into two categories – local and systemic.

• Local colon cancer symptoms

Local symptoms of colon cancer often have an effect on colon and rectum directly.

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Changes in the bowel movement
• Bloating in the abdominal area along with cramps
• Unsatisfactory bowel movements
• Thinner than normal stools
• Systemic colon cancer symptoms

Systemic symptoms of colon cancer have an effect on the entire body.

• Weakness and fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Anemia
• Jaundice
• Unexpected loss of appetite

What are the risk factors of colon cancer?

• Risk factors of colon cancer often include family history, personal medical history, lifestyle choices, and age.
• These risk factors are similar in men and women. However, lifestyle choices like the lack of physical activity and an unhealthy diet could differ and may lead to an increased risk of colon cancer.
• While risk factors and causes are largely similar in men and women, incidences of colon cancer are slightly higher among men than those among women.

What are the different treatments for colon cancer?

• Surgery – Surgery focuses on removing the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue. During the surgery, some parts of healthy colon, rectum, or lymph nodes are also removed. The surgical options for colon cancer include laparoscopic surgery, colostomy for rectal cancer, and radiofrequency ablation.
• Radiation therapy – In this therapy, there is a use of high-energy X-rays that are meant to destroy the cancer cells. There are different types of radiation therapy that include external-beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy.
• Chemotherapy – In chemotherapy, doctors use medications to destroy the cancer cells by putting an end to their ability to grow and divide.

Who are the specialists that treat colorectal cancer?

There are essentially 5 specialists that work on the treatment of colon cancer.

• Gastroenterologist – Treats gastrointestinal tract disorders.
• Surgical oncologist – Treats colon cancer through surgery.
• Colorectal surgeon – Treats colon and rectum diseases through surgery
• Radiation oncologist – Treats cancer (colon) using radiation therapy .
• Medical oncologist – Uses medication to treat colon cancer.

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