Can colon cancer be detected by colonoscopy? The answer depends on the stage of the cancer and other factors. Colon cancer has a wide range of symptoms and stages. Doctors use staging as a general guideline for determining the best course of treatment. The initial stage of colon cancer is known as carcinoma in situ, as it has not spread beyond the colon walls. As the cancer progresses, it can spread to other areas of the body, such as the lymph nodes.
The surgical procedure for colon cancer involves removing part of the colon and adjacent healthy tissue, along with some lymph nodes. The surgeon then reconnects the two ends of the colon, called stoma, to the skin. After the surgery, the doctor may use a special flat bag that fits over the stoma. This type of surgery is performed to remove the colon cancer and its associated polyps. The outlook for patients with polyps that have not yet attached to the colon wall is good.
There are several screening methods for colon cancer. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is the most commonly performed screening procedure. This procedure requires a flexible tube with a light attached. It is performed every five or 10 years and may be combined with a yearly FIT test to monitor colon health. A more invasive procedure, colonoscopy involves a long, thin tube with a camera attached. A physician can view the colon and remove any polyps that could be cancer.
The first stage of colon cancer is known as polyps. Polyps begin as benign growths and later develop into colon cancer. Early detection is crucial as early detection saves lives. If colon cancer is not detected and treated early, it will eventually progress to Stage I, which occurs when a tumor has invaded the inner wall of the colon and has spread to other parts of the body. If the tumor has spread to other parts of the body, treatment options will depend on the stage.
Colorectal cancer is a major cause of death in Americans, and it can be detected through routine screenings. Colonoscopy is the most common screening method. A physician uses a flexible tube to examine the colon and detect polyps, which are the precursors of colon cancer. If detected early, polyps can be removed before they turn cancerous. It is recommended that people between the ages of 45 and 75 undergo regular colonoscopy tests.
Anticancer drugs are given to patients after surgery, usually intravenously. Some patients may be treated with radiation therapy, too. It is usually paired with chemotherapy. Patients with recurrent colon cancer may receive radiation therapy. During cancer treatment, researchers have made significant progress in understanding the biochemistry of colorectal cancer. They have identified specific changes in gene and protein expression that lead to the development of cancer cells. Targeted therapy drugs may have fewer side effects than chemotherapy.
