COLON CANCER SYMPTOMS TREATMENT

Colon Cancer Symptoms and Treatment

 Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the US. It starts developing in the large intestine (colon) or in the rectum (end of colon). This cancer is also known as “colorectal cancer”

The other types of colon cancer are lymphoma, carcinoid tumors, melanoma, and sarcomas.

Mostly colon cancers begin as a small (non-cancerous). These non-cancerous clumps of cells are known as adenomatous polyps, after a period of time it converts into colon cancer.

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

This cancer doesn’t produce any sign or symptom at early stage. Following are the signs and symptoms of colon cancer:

a. Rectal bleeding or bleeding in your stool

b. Persistent abdominal discomfort such as gas, cramps or pain

c. Feeling that your bowel is not empty completely

d. Fatigue or weakness

e. Unexplained weight loss

f. Change in your bowel habits, or change in consistency of your stool for more than couple of weeks

g. Diarrhea or constipation

If you find any of the above symptoms then you should consult your doctor immediately.

Treatment for Colon Cancer

Treatment for colon cancer is totally dependent on the stage of your cancer. The three treatment options for colon cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Surgery for Early Stage Colon Cancer

When the cancer is small and located at the polyp, your doctor can remove it completely using colonoscopy. In case of large polyps, it can be removed using laparoscopic surgery. In this procedure, your surgeon will perform the operation through number of small incisions in your abdominal wall. Doctor inserts an instrument with attached cameras, which displays your colon on a video monitor.

Surgery for Invasive Colon Cancer

If your colon cancer has developed through your colon, your surgeon can recommend you colectomy. It removes the part of colon, which contains cancer, along with the surrounded normal tissue on the side of cancer. In some cases, lymph nodes are also removed and tested for the cancer.

Surgery for the Advanced Stage Colon Cancer

If your cancer is at the advance stage or your overall health is poor then your surgeon might recommend an operation to relieve the blockage of your colon and to treat your symptoms. This surgery is known as palliative surgery, it is not to cure your cancer, but to relive the signs and symptoms of this cancer such as bleeding and pain.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy the cancerous cells. Chemotherapy can be used before or after the surgery to destroy the cells. Your doctor can recommend chemotherapy, if your cancer has spread beyond the wall of the colon or it has spread to the lymph nodes.

Radiation therapy

In Radiation therapy, powerful energy sources such as X-rays are used to kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy is rarely used at the early stage of colon cancer. Radiation therapy is usually used with the chemotherapy to reduce the risk of cancer                                                               

Targeted Drug Therapy for Colon Cancer

Drug which target the specific cancer cells to proliferate are now available for the advanced colon cancer, it includes cetuximab(Erbitux), bevacizumab(Avastin) and panitumumab (Vectibix).

Alternative Medicine or Treatment for Colon Cancer

As such, there are no complementary treatments available for the colon cancer. But the following alternative treatments can prevent you from this cancer

1.    Exercise

2.    Meditation

3.    Music therapy

4.    Relaxation exercises

5.    Dance or movement therapy

6.    Art therapy

If you are experiencing the above symptoms then you should consult your doctor about the possibility of colon cancer.

Comments

berann said…
I agree we should be vigilant and must try to educate our self about colon cancer I came across this article " 10 Signs and Symptoms of Colon Cancer " and I wish to share to with you guys, I learn alot and found relevant information about colon cancer, hope it can provide you with more insight regarding colon cancer.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
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