Colon Cancer
The large intestine or colon is a part of the
gastrointestinal tract that makes and stores
stool.
It includes the Ascending colon, Transverse colon,
Descending colon and the Sigmoid colon.
The cause of cancer is an uncontrolled
multiplication of cells lining the colon.
Before a true cancer develops, it usually begins
as a non-cancerous growth called a polyp. Certain
people can have multiple polyps in their colon
which are inherited genetically.
Over a period of several years a polyp has the
potential to become cancerous.
A cancerous polyp grows rapidly in size,
eventually breaking through the wall of the colon
and spreading through the tiny channels called
lymph vessels.
The cancer can also spread through blood vessels
to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of colon cancer are:
-
Blood in the stools
-
A
change in bowel habits resulting in either more
constipation or diarrhea than normal.
-
Abdominal pain.
-
Unintended weight loss
Medical investigations required to detect colon
cancer are:
Treatment
Treatment varies depending on the stage of the
disease. Some patients will need surgery to remove
the diseased segment of the bowel followed by
radiotherapy or chemotherapy
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