Colon Cancer: Symptoms and Treatment Methods
Colon cancer is one of the most common and deadly types of tumors in the world, responsible for approximately 10% of cancer-related deaths annually.
What is Colon Cancer?
Doctors diagnose colon cancer when tumors form in the large intestine.
The colon, or large intestine, is where the body absorbs water and salt from waste, and then the waste exits the body through the rectum and anus.
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed type of cancer in the United States, along with skin cancers.
Healthcare specialists recommend regular screenings for colorectal cancer for adults aged 45 to 75 years.
Symptoms of Colon Cancer
The symptoms and signs of colon cancer may include one or more of the following:
- Diarrhea or constipation.
- Changes in stool consistency, such as loose stools.
- Presence of blood in the stool, which may cause the stool to appear dark brown or black.
- Bright red bleeding from the rectum.
- Abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, or gas.
- Constant feeling of needing to have a bowel movement even after having one.
- General weakness and fatigue.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Iron deficiency anemia.
You can also read about Iron levels in the body
Typically, weight loss and abdominal pain occur in the later stages of the disease. If the cancer spreads to a new part of the body, such as the liver, it may cause additional symptoms, such as jaundice, which turns the skin yellow and causes the eyes to appear whiter.
Early Symptoms of Colon Cancer
Colon cancer often does not cause symptoms in its early stages, but the symptoms become more apparent as the disease progresses.
If symptoms do appear in the early stages, they may include:
- Blood in the stool.
- Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrow, ribbon-like stools.
- Feeling of incomplete bowel emptying after a bowel movement.
- Abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Anemia due to intestinal bleeding.
- Loss of appetite.
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Unexplained weight loss.
Stages of Colon Cancer
The stage of cancer refers to how far the tumor has spread and its size.
In colon cancer, the stages develop as follows:
- Stage 1:
Also known as "in situ" cancer, in this stage, the cancer is very early and grows only in the innermost layer of the colon, and is typically easy to treat.
- Stage 2:
If the cancer has spread to the next layer of colon tissues.
- Stage 3:
When the cancer reaches the outer layers of the colon but has not spread outside it.
- Stage 4:
If the cancer has grown through the outer layers of the colon and reached up to three lymph nodes but has not spread to distant sites.
- Stage 5:
When the cancer has reached tissues outside the colon wall, and typically spreads to distant parts of the body.
Treatment of Colon Cancer
The treatment depends on the type and stage of colon cancer, and doctors also take into account the patient's age and overall health.
The options include:
1. Surgery:
Surgery is usually the main treatment for colon cancer in the early stages.
If the cancer is confined to the innermost layer of the colon, patients may only need to have it removed surgically.
In later stages, the doctor may choose to remove part or all of the colon, a procedure known as a colectomy.
During this procedure, the surgeon removes the portion of the colon containing the cancer, along with some surrounding tissues.
The surgeon may also remove nearby lymph nodes to reduce the risk of spread and then reconnect the healthy parts of the colon, or create a stoma if necessary.
A stoma is a surgical opening in the abdominal wall through which waste is diverted into a bag, bypassing the lower part of the colon.
In some cases, the doctor may opt for laparoscopic surgery, where the surgeon makes small incisions in the abdomen to remove larger benign tumors.
If the cancer is in an inoperable stage, palliative surgery may be used to relieve symptoms, such as unblocking the colon, managing pain, bleeding, and other symptoms.
2. Chemotherapy:
During chemotherapy, healthcare providers give patients drugs that interfere with the process of cell division, disrupting proteins or DNA in specific areas, leading to the destruction of cancer cells and their death.
These treatments target any rapidly dividing cells, including healthy ones, but healthy cells can typically recover from chemotherapy-induced damage, while cancer cells cannot.
3. Radiotherapy:
Radiotherapy kills cancer cells by focusing high-energy gamma rays on them.
This approach involves implanting radioactive materials near the cancer site in the form of seeds that emit radiation capable of destroying the cancer.
When dealing with a complex disease like colon cancer, it is evident that this malignant condition poses a real threat to health.
With medical advancements, there are many effective treatment options available, but prevention remains the optimal solution.
In the context of efforts to promote general health and combat diseases, the importance of balanced nutrition rich in vitamins and minerals comes into focus.
Studies have shown that certain vitamins play a crucial role in boosting the immune system and fighting diseases, including cancer.
In this context, intravenous vitamins, such as those offered by evercare, can play a supporting role in treatment plans by providing the body with high doses of essential vitamins and minerals needed to fight disease and enhance recovery.
However, it should be emphasized that intravenous vitamins are not a substitute for traditional medical treatments but rather a nutritional supplement that can contribute to improving general health and enhancing the quality of life for patients.
