What is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, begins in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum. While other rare cancers like lymphoma, carcinoid tumors, melanoma, and sarcomas can affect this area, this section focuses specifically on colon carcinoma.
Causes and Risk Factors
Most colon cancers start in gland cells in the lining of the colon and rectum. These typically begin as benign polyps that can slowly turn into cancer.
- Age: People over 60 are at higher risk.
- Ethnicity: Higher incidence among African Americans and individuals of Eastern European descent.
- Diet: High intake of red or processed meats and possibly low fiber may raise risk.
- Medical History:
- Colorectal polyps
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis)
- Personal history of breast cancer
- Family History: A family history of colon cancer increases risk.
- Inherited Conditions:
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
- Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), also called Lynch syndrome
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol can raise the risk.
Note: The link between a high-fiber diet and reduced colon cancer risk is still not fully proven, though dietary changes may help improve overall health.
Colon Cancer Exams, Staging & Treatment
With proper screening, colon cancer can be detected before symptoms appear — when it is most curable.
- Physical Exam: Your doctor may press on your abdomen to check for masses. A rectal exam may detect a tumor in rectal cancer cases.
- Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT): Detects hidden blood in stool — may indicate cancer but requires confirmation via colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.
- Colonoscopy: The gold standard. Only test that views the entire colon to detect or remove polyps and diagnose cancer.
- Blood Tests:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) to check for anemia
- Liver function tests
- Tumor markers: CEA and CA 19-9 (to monitor during and after treatment)
- Imaging Tests: CT, MRI, or PET scans of the abdomen, pelvis, chest, or brain may be used for cancer staging.
Note: Only colonoscopy visualizes the full colon. It's the best test for both screening and diagnosis.
Stages of Colon Cancer:
- Stage 0: Very early cancer on the innermost layer of the intestine
- Stage I: Cancer in inner layers of the colon
- Stage II: Cancer spread through muscle wall
- Stage III: Cancer spread to lymph nodes
- Stage IV: Cancer spread to other organs outside the colon
Treatment Options:
- Surgery: Most often a colectomy, to remove affected portion of the colon
- Chemotherapy: Kills or stops growth of cancer cells
- Radiation Therapy: Targets and destroys cancerous tissue, especially in rectal cancers
Colon Cancer Surgery Options
Polypectomy: In the earliest stages (Stage 0 and some Stage I), cancerous polyps can be removed during a colonoscopy. This is called a polypectomy.
Local Excision: Early superficial cancers can be cut out through a tube inserted into the rectum — avoiding the need for abdominal incisions (unlike colectomy).
Colectomy (Main Surgical Approach)
- Removes the cancerous portion of the colon and nearby lymph nodes.
- Intestine is reconnected in a process called anastomosis.
- If reconnection isn’t possible, a colostomy is performed:
- Part of the colon is brought through the skin to drain stool into a pouch (ostomy bag).
- Colostomies are more common in rectal cancer surgeries; rare in colon cancer.
- Stents may be used before surgery to relieve blockages and keep the intestine open.
Surgical Techniques
- Open Surgery: A traditional method using a wide incision to open the abdomen and remove the tumor with standard instruments.
- Laparoscopic Surgery (Keyhole): Uses small incisions and a fiber-optic camera (laparoscope) with tiny instruments. Best suited for:
- Early colon cancer
- Tumors under 2 cm or well-defined tumors under 3 cm
🔍 Note: Laparoscopic methods offer faster recovery and fewer complications for eligible patients.
Managing Side Effects After Colon Surgery
- Sexual dysfunction: More likely after extensive rectal surgery. Colostomy alone typically does not impact sexual function.
- Irregular bowel movements: May include urgency or incontinence.
- Gas and flatulence: Foods like beans, oat bran, most fruits, and vegetables (e.g., cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus) increase gas production.
Tip: Avoid chewing gum, sipping through straws, or eating with your mouth open to prevent swallowing air. - Diarrhea
- Bladder complications: Including a sense of urinary urgency.
- Fecal incontinence: More common in patients undergoing rectal surgery compared to those with colostomies.
- Stoma-related complications: These may appear soon after surgery or years later, including:
- Skin infections or irritation
- Stoma narrowing or collapse
- Bleeding
- Parastomal hernias
✅ Diet Tips: There are no strict dietary restrictions, but patients often avoid gas-producing foods. Adequate hydration and fiber intake are important for all.
💬 Emotional Support: While many patients live full and productive lives, those struggling with depression or quality-of-life concerns should speak with a doctor and consider joining a support group.
Cervical Cancer Symptoms
Early-stage cervical cancer typically causes no signs or symptoms.
More advanced cervical cancer may cause the following symptoms:
- Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods, or after menopause
- Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor
- Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse
⚠️ These symptoms may also be caused by other conditions. If you notice any of them, consult your doctor for proper evaluation.
Types of Cervical Cancer
The type of cervical cancer you have helps determine your treatment and prognosis. The main types include:
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Begins in the thin, flat squamous cells lining the outer cervix (the part that projects into the vagina). This is the most common form of cervical cancer.
- Adenocarcinoma: Starts in the column-shaped glandular cells that line the cervical canal.
- Mixed Type: In some cases, both squamous cells and glandular cells are involved in the cancer.
🔍 Rarely, cervical cancer can develop in other types of cells found in the cervix.
Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer
- Many sexual partners: The more sexual partners you have (or your partner has had), the higher the risk of acquiring HPV — a major cause of cervical cancer.
- Early sexual activity: Having sex at an early age increases your exposure risk to HPV.
- Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs): STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS can increase your susceptibility to HPV and cervical cancer.
- A weak immune system: Conditions that weaken your immune system — especially in the presence of HPV — raise the risk of cervical cancer.
- Smoking: Smoking is strongly linked with squamous cell cervical cancer due to carcinogens affecting cervical cells.
Colon Cancer FAQs
1. What is colon cancer?
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the large intestine (colon), which is the final part of the digestive tract.
2. What causes colon cancer?
Colon cancer can develop from genetic mutations and risk factors like a poor diet, obesity, smoking, and family history.
3. What are the common symptoms?
Symptoms include changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.
4. How is colon cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves colonoscopy, biopsy, blood tests, and imaging such as CT scans to determine cancer spread.
5. Who is at risk for colon cancer?
People over 50, those with a family history, inflammatory bowel disease, and unhealthy lifestyle habits are at higher risk.
6. Can colon cancer be prevented?
Prevention includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and routine screening.
7. What treatment options are available?
Treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination depending on the stage.
8. What is the survival rate for colon cancer?
The 5-year survival rate varies from about 90% for early-stage localized cancer to 14% for distant metastatic disease.
9. How often should I get screened?
Screening typically begins at age 45-50, or earlier for those with high risk, and continues regularly as advised by your doctor.
10. Can lifestyle changes reduce my risk?
Yes, eating fiber-rich foods, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol can reduce risk.
