There are three stages of colon cancer. Stage 0 cancer is called carcinoma in situ and does not have spread to neighboring lymph nodes or distant organs. Stage 1 cancer has spread to one or more lymph nodes but has not spread beyond the colon. Stage 3 cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the liver. Although stage 0 cancer is usually easy to treat, some complications can occur. To find out which stage your colon cancer is, your doctor will do some tests to determine the stage.
A tumor in the colon can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from stomach pain to blood in the stool. Some people will have a complete bowel movement and then realize that no stool is passed. Others may experience anemia (a shortage of red blood cells in the blood) from the cancer. People with anemia may experience weakening or weakness and appear pale. However, colon cancer patients may experience abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
If you have stage I colon cancer, your doctor will likely recommend that you undergo a repeat colonoscopy one year after treatment. You may also need a repeat colonoscopy every three or five years. If you have stage II colon cancer, your doctor will likely suggest a colostomy, which is an opening made in your abdominal wall through which stool can be passed. This procedure may be temporary or permanent. It can be performed if your condition is stable or if you have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
When colon cancer has spread to another organ, your doctor may use a technique called interventional radiology to treat it without surgery. The doctor may use radiowaves to treat the cancer without the need for surgery. This type of treatment is especially useful for cancer that has spread to lung or liver. In addition, interventional radiologists can even treat tumors without surgery. Some of these techniques involve inserting liquids into the rectum using tiny needles.
The development of colon cancer is caused by mutations in the DNA of healthy cells. DNA is the instructions for cells and the body’s systems. Healthy cells divide and grow in a normal way. However, cancerous cells continue to divide when they are no longer needed, accumulating and eventually forming a tumor. When cancerous cells multiply, they can spread to other organs in the body, resulting in a more dangerous condition.
There is no known cure for colon cancer, but there are ways to detect it early. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 104,270 new cases of colon cancer in 2021. To prevent the disease from spreading, healthcare providers recommend colorectal cancer screening for adults between the ages of 45 and 75. In addition to preventing colon cancer, START Center for Cancer Care provides cutting-edge treatments.
Treatment of colon cancer depends on a number of factors. Your doctor will determine the most effective treatment for you based on your overall health and the stage of your cancer. Surgical removal of the affected area is a good option for people whose polyps are not attached to the wall of the bowel. This treatment can also help with the symptoms of colon cancer. If your cancer has spread to other parts of the body, you may be prescribed chemotherapy.
