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Diagnosis And Treatment Of Colon Cancer

What is Colon Cancer and How is it Treated?

By Jenny ClarkePublished 3 years ago 5 min read
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Diagnosis And Treatment Of Colon Cancer
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Intestines are one of the important organs that digest and excrete the waste out of our bodies. Any disorder or disease in this region may cause severe problems. One such disease is colon cancer.

This is a type of cancer that occurs near the colon and rectal region of the intestines. This area of the large intestine connects the small intestine and the rectum. That is why this disease is also called colorectal cancer.

Several issues may arise due to this disease. But with the right treatment, colon cancer is completely curable. In-depth information regarding colon cancer is provided in the following paras.

What is colon cancer?

The area in our large intestine responsible for the extraction and removal of small particles and water is known as the colon. After the complete absorption of food, it is converted to a solid mass that is stored inside the rectum. This entire process is crucial for the well-being of a person.

Colon cancer disturbs the digestion process. Due to this, problems like pain in the lower abdomen, blood in stools, and cramps may occur. This disease has adverse effects on an individual’s health.

If left untreated, just like any other cancer, colon cancer can also spread to other parts of the body. Cancer can flow to various organs using the blood vessels and lymphatic system.

What causes colon cancer?

No certain cause is given for colon cancer. However, researchers have found that our modern lifestyle leads to many problems. In addition to that, here are some factors that can lead to colon cancer:

Genetic

Our genes play a vital role in our life. If your family has a history of a particular disease, then the same can happen to you. This is a basic method of determining any problem within our bodies. Some people may suffer from heart disease. While others can have a skin or colon problem. Such disorders are passed on using our DNA.

Old age

As time goes by, our body becomes less effective in repairing and replacing our cells. As a result of which, we become susceptible to several diseases. People over 50 years of age have a higher chance of getting this disease. However, recently doctors have noticed an increase in the number of young cancer patients.

Smoking

Smoking has been linked with many prominent diseases. It narrows the passage of blood and causes different issues in our bodies. Thus, one should stop smoking immediately.

Sedentary lifestyle

In recent years, our lifestyle has changed. We do less work and stay at one place for a long time. With no activity, our body is unable to metabolize and repair the system. This has resulted in the development of diseases like colon cancer.

Stress

This is another factor that can increase the risk of colon diseases. An excessive amount of stress shuts down the vital functions of our body. That is why we should indulge in more physical activities that lower stress levels.

Bad diet

Eating foods that have more fats and less fiber causes many digestive problems. Colon cancer is also associated with an unhealthy diet.

Radiation

Some patients use radiation therapies to cure other cancers. But in certain conditions, these therapies adversely affect our bodies. This can also lead to colon cancer.

Diagnosis of this disease

General questioning

In this step, the doctor will examine the physical condition of the patient. Few important points are checked in this stage:

• Blood in stools

• Fatigue

• Sudden weight loss

• Unable to eat properly

• Discomfort in the lower abdominal region

• Irregular bowel movement

• Having constipation or frequent diarrhea

Intrusive examination

This is an invasive process of examination. The doctor will use certain tools and equipment for checking the internal organs. Two main methods are used here:

Colonoscopy: A long tube equipped with a video camera is passed inside the intestinal tract. It checks for any abnormalities. And, the live results are displayed on a screen. If any problem is found, the doctor may usecertain tools to extract a tissue sample. This sample is taken for a biopsy.

Blood test: Using a blood test, we can check for any disease in the body. This procedure is done to check the health of your vital organs like the liver and kidneys. The doctor may also test for the number of red blood cells. Less number of cells can indicate a problem in the body.

Treatment procedure

In most cases, surgery is performed to completely clear the colon cancer. This can be divided into three steps:

Removal of cancer tissue: The surgeon will remove the entire portion of the targeted area. This will not only remove cancer but also stop it from spreading to other organs.

Creating temporary space for extraction: Certain cuts are made to create a passage for the extraction of waste material. This is a temporary procedure. It is done to give some time for the colon to heal completely.

Cleaning and removing lymph nodes: The lymph nodes carry fluids and white blood cells to different organs in our body. They help in improving immunity and fighting diseases. Due to cancer, the lymphatic system may transfer harmful tissues. That is why the lymph nodes near colon cancer are removed after surgery.

Where to go for consultancy and treatment?

For any issues related to the colon, you can consult a colorectal surgeon Singapore. They have well-trained gastroenterologists for the treatment of any colon disease. Also, the colon cancer treatment Singapore is equipped with the right equipment to cure such problems.

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