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How often a colonoscopy after surgery for stage one or two colon cancer?
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What Are Some Of The Treatment Options Available For Colon Cancer?
The Prevalence Of Colon CancerIt is estimated that there will be 136,000 new cases of colon cancer this year. It is the third most common form of cancer in the United States. Colon cancer can develop at any age, but it is usually diagnosed in people who are over the age of 50. The number of people being diagnosed with colon cancer is on the rise, but fortunately, there are several treatment options available. Below are some of the treatment options that are available for colon cancer:SurgeryIn many cases, colon cancer can be removed during a colonoscopy if it is localized inside of a polyp and in the early stages. If polyps cannot be removed during a colonoscopy, then laparoscopic surgery may be recommended. Surgery may also be recommended if the cancer has grown through or into the colon. The nearby lymph nodes may be removed alsoAdditionally, surgery may still be performed if the cancer is advanced. The surgery can help alleviate a blockage inside of the colon and improve the symptoms, such as pain and bleedingChemotherapy Chemotherapy, which is a treatment that uses strong drugs to kill cancerous cells, may also be used to treat colon cancer. It is often recommended after surgery if the cancer is affecting the lymph nodes. Chemotherapy can reduce the chances of the cancer returning.Additionally, chemotherapy can be used if the cancer has been spread to other parts of the body. It can help alleviate some of the symptoms of colon cancer. In some cases, chemotherapy is used along with radiation therapy.Radiation TherapyRadiation therapy kills cancer cells by using x-rays or other powerful energy sources. It may be used before surgery in order to shrink a tumor. It can also be used to shrink the cancerous cells that may remain after surgery. Furthermore, radiation therapy may reduce the chances of the cancer returning.
would going to the bathroom often be a sign og colon cancer ?
would going to the bathroom often be a sign of colon cancer
The Signs and Symptoms Of Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer is a slowly progressing but deadly cancer that affects millions of people each year. Unfortunately, there are no obvious signs of colon cancer because the cancer grows internally inside the colon and requires medical procedures for evaluation. Thus, it is important to know about the signs and symptoms that can come from colon cancer.Colon cancer typically affects men and women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. The symptoms are nonspecific and insidious, but are nonetheless concerning. Such symptoms include:Weakness, fatigue more pronounced than usual.Blood seen in the stool.Shortness of breath accompanied with weaknessPencil-thin stoolsTrouble with bowel movements, such as change in bowel habits or worsening constipationNausea and vomitingUnexplained weight lossThe last symptom, unexplained weight loss, is a dire symptom that the cancer has become impressive enough to cause systemic problems. This is typically an alarming sign that a cancer may be present. Some signs that may be seen on an exam by a medical professional that suggests colon cancer include:Positive blood in stool testAnemia, or low blood countsFamily history of colon cancerUltimately, an evaluation by a gastroenterologist is recommended if any of these symptoms are present in a middle-aged person. In fact, national medical guidelines recommends that everyone gets a colonoscopy after the age of 50, with screenings every five to ten years, based on findings from the initial colonoscopy. Those with a family history of colon cancer (parents, cousins, grandparents, etc.) are recommended to get colonoscopies earlier. Early colonoscopies can spot early cancer growths that can be quickly taken out, and prevented from turning into cancer. Thus, though a colonoscopy costs money and can be inconvenient, it is much cheaper and less convenient that being treated for colon cancer.Colon cancer that is found through a colonoscopy warrants immediate treatment by a surgeon and an oncologist. Early colon cancer can be quickly excised or surgically removed. Often, if removed early enough, the prognosis for the patient is very good. However, if it is found too late, surgery and chemotherapy will be required, leading to a much decreased prognosis for an affected individual.
What prevents cancer of the colon?
Here some of the medical and diet preventions for colon cancer. Annual fecal occult blood testing Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years Colonoscopy every 10 years Virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) every five years Stool DNA testing - though this is a new screening approach and it's not clear how often it should be repeated Stop smoking Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Exercise most days of the week Maintaining a healthy weight.
Colon Cancer Symptoms & Treatments?
Colon cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States. It affects the lining of the bowel and is also known as colorectal cancer and bowel cancer. If left untreated, colon cancer can metastasize to the liver and lungs. It is important to know the risk facts, to get screened and to obtain treatment as soon as possible.RIsk factorsColon cancer largely affects people in their 60s and 70s, but cases do occur in younger people, especially if there is a family history of the disease. Smoking and alcohol consumption increase the chances of colon cancer; diets high in red meat also raise a person's risk of developing the disease. Additionally, heredity makes one more susceptible to colon cancer. For anyone who has had a family member with the disease, it is important to get screened.To reduce the risk of developing cancer, exercise and eat a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. ScreeningsIndividuals who have a moderate risk for developing this cancer are advised to obtain regular screenings starting at age 50; however, it is wise for those with high risk factors to begin earlier. A colonoscopy is the most common screening tool, though a doctor may want to perform other tests as well. Polyps and other pre-cancerous cells are sometimes found and removed during a colonoscopy; if abnormal tissue is found, a biopsy is done to check for cancer. It is prudent to have regular screening for colon cancer, especially if you are at increased risk.SymptomsColon cancer often develops slowly with few symptoms. Symptoms that eventually manifest are usually dependent on the size and location of the tumor, and they include unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite, anemia and blood in the stool. If a tumor is really large, it can cause a blockage in the bowel. It is imperative for anyone who has any concerns to contact his or her healthcare provider as soon as possible.TreatmentOnce colon cancer is diagnosed, one must consider the best treatments. Treatments often depend on the current stage of the cancer, whether it has spread and, if so, where it has spread. Surgery is often used to remove the primary tumor from the colon; if the cancer has not spread, it is possible for the surgery to eradicate the problem. Surgery is usually followed by chemotherapy to either prevent the disease from spreading or to attack other tumors that have metastasized. Radiation is not routinely used to treat colon cancer. Some patients may receive more aggressive treatments, such as liver resection and radiotherapy, but these are determined by the treating physicians.Colon cancer is life-threatening and diagnosis must occur early. People who have any concerns are advised to contact their health care provider; early detection is key to successful treatment.
Where can one get cancer surgery done?
Cancer surgery is often offered at most major hospitals. You must have medical insurance, and if you choose you can also have it done at various cancer clinics.
Watch for Colon Cancer Symptoms?
Colon cancer is one of the more common types of cancer in the United States. Doctors are still not sure exactly what causes colon cancer, although certain genes can increase the risk for colon cancer. However, if you catch colon cancer early it can often be cured. Many cases of colon cancer are detected each year even before patients experience symptoms through routine colon cancer screenings. The symptoms of colon cancer vary depending on the patient, the location of the tumor and the size of the tumor. More common symptoms include diarrhea, blood in your stool, rectal bleeding, black or tarry stools, narrow stools, constipation, abdominal pain or cramps, gas, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, weakness, unexplained iron deficiency anemia and a feeling that your bowel is not completely emptying. Many patients do not experience any of these symptoms until they have very advanced colon cancer, making routine colon cancer screening very important for catching these cancers while there is still a good chance of curing them. People who are at higher risk for colon cancer should speak with their doctor if they experience colon cancer symptoms, as early detection is important. This includes people over 50 years old, people with a family history of colon or breast cancer, people who are obese or follow a sedentary lifestyle, people with chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon or diabetes, and people who drink or consume a diet high in fat and low in fiber. The best test for detecting whether you actually have colon cancer is a colonoscopy, as it is the only test that examines the whole colon for polyps and other possible cancerous masses. Making lifestyle changes may help to lower you colon cancer risk. Consider losing weight if you are overweight or maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, exercising most days of the week and avoiding alcohol or only drinking alcohol in moderation.
What is an antigen tumor marker that is often elevated in patients with colon cancer?
carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
Is stage 4 colon cancer deadly?
Colon cancer has reached stage 4 after metastasizing to distant organs. The liver is often an area where the cancer tends to migrate per a National Cancer Institute's article noting 50% of cases.
Difference between right sided and left sided colon cancer?
Right sided colon cancer takes place in the ascending and transverse colon, as left sided colon cancer is found in the descending and sigmoid colon. Right sided colon cancer is associated with more advanced disease when found and can spread more readily to LNs or peritoneal carcinomatosis. These tumors show more K-RAS mutations and microsatellite instability. Overall survival is lower in right sided colon cancer. Left sided colon cancer tend to cause more obstructive problems, often develop from polyps in early stages and tend to become metastatic to lung and liver sites. More information on the differences of right and left colon cancer can be found at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20010352
What You Need to Know About Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer occurs in the large intestine, which is also known as the colon. The colon is located in the lower area of the digestive system. Colon cancer often starts off as benign polyps but over time these polyps turn in to cancer. Diagnosing colon cancer in the earliest stages is imperative to survival.SymptomsMany people experience no symptoms with colon cancer in the earliest stages. When symptoms do arise, they often present at varying degrees depending on the location and size of the cancer. The most common symptoms of colon cancer are fatigue or weakness, sudden weight loss, the feeling that the bowel does not completely empty, blood in the stool or rectal bleeding, persistent discomfort in the abdomen such as gas, pain or cramps, and changes in normal bowel habits like constipation or diarrhea. It's important to note that these symptoms are quite general and are often the sign of another medical condition that is not colon cancer. It's important, however, to talk with your doctor if you experience the symptoms of colon cancer. Risk FactorsAlthough colon cancer can affect a person of any gender, race or age it is more common in those that exhibit certain risk factors. People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop colon cancer as are African-Americans and those with a family history of colon cancer, polyps or inflammatory intestinal conditions. Other risk factors include obesity, diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, a low-fiber and high-fat diet, smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. TreatmentOnce a diagnosis of colon cancer is made, different treatment options are available based on the stage and progression of the cancer. Surgery is available for early-stage, invasive and advanced colon cancer. Other treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted drug therapy. A combination of treatments may be necessary to effectively remove all of the cancer. PreventionAlthough the exact causes of colon cancer are unknown, there are some things you can do to lower your risk. If you have an increased risk of colon cancer or if you are African-American or American Indian, start getting screened at age 45. Those with an average risk should begin screening at age 50. Eating plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables may help to prevent colon cancer. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise each day and maintain a healthy weight. Finally, stop smoking to also help lower your risk of developing colon cancer.
Does colon cancer occur most often in the large or small intestines?
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the large intestine (colon), which is the final part of the digestive tract12. The large intestine is about 5 feet long and absorbs water and salt from the food that passes through it. The small intestine, also called the small bowel, is a long tube that connects the stomach and the large intestine. It is about 20 feet long and is responsible for digesting and absorbing nutrients from the food that enters it. Cancer of the small intestine is much less common than cancer of the large intestine. There are different types of small bowel cancer, such as adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, lymphoma, and sarcoma. Therefore, colon cancer occurs most often in the large intestine, not the small intestine.
