Consult a doctor for recommendations. Usually, cells follow an orderly process of growth, division, and death. However, cancer develops when cells grow and divide uncontrollably, and when they do not die at the normal point in their life cycle.
Most cases of colon cancer originate from noncancerous tumors called adenomatous polyps. These form on the inner walls of the large intestine. Cancerous cells may spread from malignant tumors to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. These cancer cells can grow and invade healthy tissue nearby and throughout the body in a process called metastasis.
The result is a more serious, less treatable condition. The most common types of polyps are:. Some of these polyps may grow into malignant colon cancer if a surgeon does not remove them during the early stages of treatment.
A person might inherit a genetic predisposition toward colon cancer from close relatives, especially if a family member received a diagnosis before the age of 60 years old. It is possible to have these genetic feature without developing cancer. This is because the cancer will not develop unless an environmental factor triggers it. Age is a significant risk factor for colon cancer. However, it is becoming more common in people under Colon cancer is more likely to affect people with inactive lifestyles, those with obesity , and individuals who use tobacco.
As the colon is part of the digestive system, diet and nutrition play central roles in its development. Low fiber diets can contribute. Also, according to one review , people who consume excessive amounts of the following have an increased risk:.
Early detection and treatment are the most effective ways to improve the outlook for a person with colon cancer. Irritable bowel syndrome IBS is a chronic disorder that causes abdominal pain, bloating, and alternating diarrhea and constipation. Learn more about…. Chemotherapy can be an effective way of treating cancer. However, while it destroys cancer cells, it can also have adverse effects. Learn how doctors…. Diarrhea, which refers to unusually loose or watery stools, is a common problem with many potential causes.
Several treatments can help. Learn more…. For those who have no family history of the disease, recommended screenings generally begin at age 50 because this is when the risk of getting colon cancer begins to increase. However, even if you are under the age of 50 and have no family history of colon cancer, if you experience symptoms including abdominal pain, blood in the stool, narrowing stools, or a change in bowel habits, you should speak to your health care provider about getting screened.
Research shows that a high fat diet is a risk factor for colon cancer. Some studies have also suggested that a diet high in fiber and a lifestyle that includes moderate exercise are helpful in preventing the disease.
Staying aware of symptoms and getting recommended screenings are key factors in prevention of the disease. After speaking to family members and gathering a complete health history, talk to your primary care provider about ways to improve your diet and lifestyle to prevent colon cancer and about scheduling preventative screenings when necessary. Information on these pages is provided for educational purposes only.
Consult your own physician before making any medical decisions. What is Colon Cancer? Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy also controls the growth of tumors. Chemotherapy often comes with side effects that need to be controlled with additional medication.
Radiation uses a powerful beam of energy, similar to that used in X-rays, to target and destroy cancerous cells before and after surgery. Radiation therapy commonly occurs alongside chemotherapy. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies may also be recommended. Having a colorectal cancer diagnosis can be worrying, but this type of cancer is extremely treatable, especially when caught early. The 5-year survival rate for all stages of colon cancer is estimated to be 63 percent based on data from to For rectal cancer, the 5-year survival rate is 67 percent.
The 5-year survival rate reflects the percentage of people who survived at least 5 years after diagnosis. According to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , in , the average survival time for stage 4 colon cancer was around 30 months. In the s, the average was 6 to 8 months. At the same time, doctors are now seeing colorectal cancer in younger people. Some of this may be due to unhealthy lifestyle choices.
According to the ACS , while colorectal cancer deaths declined in older adults, deaths in people younger than 50 years old increased between and However, lifestyle factors that may contribute colorectal cancer are preventable, and may help reduce your overall risk of developing this disease.
Another preventive measure is to make sure you get a colonoscopy or other cancer screening after the age of The earlier the cancer is detected, the better the outcome. With early detection, most people live at least another 5 years after diagnosis. Read this article in Spanish.
Rectal cancer is cancer that develops in cells in the rectum. A colonoscopy exam allows your doctor to see the inside of your large intestine colon and rectum. If you have an upcoming colonoscopy, there are…. New advancements have made cancer treatment more effective. Find out what improvements researchers and scientists have made specifically for colon…. Polycythemia vera PV is a rare form of blood cancer.
Learn about the JAK2 genetic…. Cologuard is a noninvasive colon cancer screening test done in the privacy of your home. This rare type of colorectal cancer accounts for about 0. In the early stages, leiomyosarcomas in the colon or rectum may not cause symptoms. As the cancer progresses, symptoms may include fatigue, weight loss, vomiting blood, changes in stools and other stomach problems.
Diagnosis generally includes standard measures, such as a biopsy, blood tests and imaging tests. Treatment typically starts with surgery to remove the tumor. Other treatment options include radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Melanomas : Most commonly associated with skin cancer , these may start to develop anywhere, including in the colon or rectum, or may spread to the GI tract from the primary melanoma site.
Melanomas account for 1 percent to 3 percent of all cancers that develop in the digestive system, according to research published in BMJ Case Reports.
Diagnosis may involve a biopsy and other tests to determine whether the cancer spread from elsewhere in the body or started in the colon or rectum. Squamous cell carcinomas: This cancer, also known as SCC, is extremely rare in the colon, with fewer than cases reported in the literature as of a case report in the Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives.
Squamous cells are a particular type of cell present in many areas of the body. Squamous cell carcinoma occurs when these cells start growing uncontrollably and become cancerous. Symptoms may resemble colorectal adenocarcinoma, including stomach issues and changes in stool or bowel habits. Colonoscopy and other tests are used to diagnose this cancer.
People with this syndrome may develop hundreds or even thousands of colon or rectal polyps. These polyps tend to occur when people with this syndrome are 10 to 12 years old. Nearly all people with FAP develop colorectal cancer during their lifetime, and as a result, some people have their colon removed as a preventative measure.
If an inherited syndrome associated with colorectal cancer is suspected, the patient may consider undergoing genetic testing. Genetic testing involves taking a sample of blood, hair or other bodily fluids to analyze for DNA mutations linked to cancer or a genetic syndrome. The patient also may be advised to get regular colonoscopies to look for colorectal cancer and to begin screening early.
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome PJS : This condition causes a particular type of polyp to develop in the gastrointestinal tract, called a hamartoma. It comes with an increased risk of colorectal cancer and others including breast cancer , ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer. If colorectal cancer does occur in individuals with PJS, it tends to develop at a younger than average age. Familial colorectal cancer: Some people inherit genetic syndromes from their parents that increase their risk of getting colorectal cancer.
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