In some cases, the signs of colon cancer may not be readily visible to the naked eye. However, your doctor can perform tests to determine whether you have colon cancer. This procedure will include a colonoscopy, which allows your doctor to check for occult blood and see if there are any abnormal cells under the microscope. The doctor may also perform an endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy to examine tissue from your lymph nodes. CEA assays measure the amount of the protein carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in your blood. However, it is important to note that these tests can also be used to diagnose many other diseases.
Other symptoms of colon cancer include bleeding in the rectal area. This is often attributed to hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen tissues in the rectal area. These conditions occur when hard stool presses against the hemorrhoid tissue. Although most hemorrhoids are harmless, blood in stool is a warning sign that you may have colon cancer. If you experience a constant and severe bleed during bowel movements, it may be a sign of polyps in your colon.
Although it is important to note that most polyps in the colon are benign, about 15% are malignant and have the potential to develop into cancer. Bloody stools may also be caused by bacterial infections such as E.coli or Salmonella. The pain is often severe and only alleviated with antibiotic treatment. Anal fissures can also be caused by large bowels or a low-fiber diet. Lastly, lack of exercise or water consumption can also contribute to large bowels. In addition, blood in stool may be indicative of colon cancer, but it is not definitive.
Adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II colon cancer is not routinely recommended for patients without a high-risk subgroup. However, it is often given as part of shared decision making for patients with other high-risk factors. For example, patients with tumors with T4 are more likely to experience recurrence than those with T3 or T4 lesions. During a shared decision-making process, oxaliplatin may be added to a fluoropyrimidine-based ACT.
Different types of treatment for stage I, II, and III colon cancer are available. Some are standard treatments, while others are experimental and are currently under clinical trials. Clinical trials are conducted to learn more about new treatments, and if they show improved results, they may become standard treatment. Patients with colon cancer may opt for clinical trials. Some clinical trials are open only to people who have not yet started treatment. For the best outcomes, patients must undergo a thorough evaluation before enrolling in a clinical trial.
A recent study found that circulating tumor DNA is associated with an increased chance of recurrence in stage II and stage III colon cancer. However, this study has not definitively proven if ctDNA has predictive value for chemotherapy. As a result, patients with stage III colon cancer may benefit from chemotherapy, even after surgery. And, in case of stage II cancer, patients with stage III cancer have higher survival rates. So, while colon cancer is not a fatal disease, it’s best to be treated early to ensure that it’s detected in time.
