Understanding Colon Cancer: Signs, Symptoms and Treatments
Colon cancer is often called “the silent killer” due to its lack of early signs and symptoms. While it’s not extremely common – one in 20 Americans will develop it – it can be fatal if it’s left untreated. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be almost 105,000 new cases in 2021 alone. Despite the prevalence of the disease, most people don’t know much about it until they develop it.
Colon cancer begins as small, noncancerous clumps of cells known as polyps that form inside the colon. Over time, these polyps can become cancer. Since these polyps often don’t cause obvious symptoms in the early stages, knowing more about the disease and how to detect it could save your life.
What Is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer appears in the large intestine (colon), which is the final part of the digestive tract. The healthy cells develop changes in their DNA and can become cancerous, forming a tumor. Doctors don’t know the exact cause of colon cancer, but they do know that the cancer cells invade and destroy the normal tissue nearby. These cells can, in turn, travel to other parts of the body to form deposits known as metastasis.
Types
Most people who are diagnosed with colon cancer have a type called adenocarcinoma, which is cancer of the cells that line the inside of the surface of the colon.
There are other, more rare types including:
- Carcinoid tumors – Cancer of the intestine’s hormone-producing cells
- Lymphoma – Cancer of the lymph nodes, which can start in the colon
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors – Cancer of ‘soft tissues’ such as fat, muscles, or blood vessels
All colon cancers are either localized (contained to the colon), regional (spread to nearby tissues), or distant (spread to distant body parts like the lungs or liver).
Early Signs and Symptoms
Many people with colon cancer don’t experience any symptoms in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms do occur, they are likely to be mild, and may include:
- Weakness or fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent abdominal discomfort (cramps, gas or pain)
- A persistent change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea, constipation or consistency
- Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
- A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely
- Jaundice
- Bloating
- Jaundice
Treatment Options
If a person develops colon cancer, a variety of treatments are available. What treatment is recommended depends on the type, location and stage, but common includes at least one of the following:
- Surgery – The most common treatment for early stage colon cancer; removes the cancerous section of the colon (known as a colostomy).
- Chemotherapy – Medicine taken orally or intravenously to destroy tumor cells; sometimes given before surgery to shrink the tumor slightly.
- Radiation therapy – Beams of high-strength radiation that target tumor cells.
- Immunotherapy – A medicinal treatment designed to support the body’s immune system in fighting the colon cancer
Colon cancer screening is recommended for those at least 50 years of age or earlier for anyone with risk factors. Colon cancer risk factors include inflammatory intestinal conditions, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, a low-fiber and high-fat diet, obesity, heavy smoking or alcohol use, and a family history of colon cancer. Routine screening via a stool-based test, colonoscopy, CT colonography, or flexible sigmoidoscopy can prevent colon cancer by identifying and removing the polyps before they turn cancerous.
Talk To Your Doctor
Taking good care of your health by eating right, engaging in regular exercise, getting sufficient rest, regulating the amount of alcohol consumption and getting regular colon screenings can help prevent colon cancer. If you’re experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, talk to your doctor right away.