Colon Cancer

Colon Cancer Treatment in Alwarpet, Chennai

Colon cancer refers to cancer in your colon or rectum. The symptoms of colon cancer are constipation, bloody stool and abdominal pain. 

Factors such as a family history of colon cancer or genetic mutation of your cells can cause colon cancer. In this day and age, there are several treatment options for colon cancer. These include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy.

What is colon cancer?

Cancer develops when the cells in your body grow and divide at an unusual rate and attack the immune system. Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, involves the unusual growth of cells in your colon or rectum, located in the large intestine. 

This study shows that the yearly incidence rate in India of colon cancer in men is 4.4 per 1,00,000. In women, the incidence rate is 3.9 per 1,00,000. Depending on the stage of advancement of cancer, a doctor will determine the treatment method. The stages of colon cancer are:

1. Stage 0 - This is the stage where the cells are just restricted to the inner lining of the colon or rectum. 
2. Stage 1 - At this stage, cancer pierces through the inner lining of the rectum or colon and grows into the muscular layer of the lining. 
3. Stage 2 - At this stage, cancer has spread to the walls of the colon. 
4. Stage 3 - This is when the cancer has reached the lymph nodes but hasn’t spread to another part of your body. 
5. Stage 4 - This is the last stage when cancer has spread to different parts of the body. 

To seek treatment, you can consult a colon cancer specialist in Chennai or visit a general surgery hospital near you.

 What are the types of colon cancer?

They are:

• Adenocarcinoma - This is the most common type of colon cancer and is formed in the parts of the body where the mucus and glandular cells are present. 
• Lymphomas - This is the type of cancer where the cancer is formed in the lymph nodes. 
• Sarcomas - This type of cancer forms in the muscles of your colon. 
• Carcinoids - This type of cancer is formed in the cells of your intestine that make hormones. 

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

Watch out for:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Bloody stool
• Bleeding from the rectum
• Pain in the abdomen
• Cramps in the abdomen
• Fatigue
• Weakness

What causes colon cancer?

Researchers are still trying to determine the exact cause of colon cancer, this has been linked to a genetic mutation in your healthy cells or a family history of colon cancer. 

When should you see a doctor?

Go and visit your doctor if you have signs of abdominal pain, bloody stool and rectal bleeding, and if they persist for a few weeks. 

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Alwarpet, Chennai.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

How is colon cancer diagnosed?

Your doctor will first take your medical history and check your general physical health. Once the doctor has taken the history, he/she will recommend taking any of the following tests for further examination.

• Colonoscopy - In this procedure, the doctor inserts a tube with a camera inside your colon to examine it and check for any unusual growths. 
• X-Ray - Your doctor may advise you to take an X-Ray to get a better image of your colon.
• Blood tests - Your doctor will ask you to take Liver Function Test (LFT) and take a blood count to rule out any other diseases. 

What are the risk factors?

Certain factors predispose you to develop colon cancer. They are:

• Family history of colon cancer
• Previous history of polyps
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Consuming drugs
• Eating a diet rich in processed meat
• Having genetic diseases such as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)

How is colon cancer treated?

• Surgery - If you are diagnosed at the earlier stages of colon cancer, your doctor might perform surgery to remove the cancerous growth. 
• Chemotherapy - This procedure takes place after the surgery and involves killing any cells that could not be removed through surgery by administering drugs.
• Radiation therapy  - In this method, high radiation rays are used to destroy cancerous growth. This is done alongside chemotherapy. 

Conclusion

If you notice colon cancer symptoms, consult a doctor immediately and get the necessary tests done. 

References

https://www.healthline.com/health/colon-cancer

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353669

https://main.icmr.nic.in/sites/default/files/guidelines/Colorectal%20Cancer_0.pdf

https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/colorectal-cancer/questions

https://fascrs.org/patients/diseases-and-conditions/frequently-asked-questions-about-colorectal-cancer