22 Jan How Colon Cancer Affects the Body
The colon, or large intestine, absorbs water and electrolytes from digested food and processes waste for elimination. Colon cancer develops when abnormal cells in the colon multiply uncontrollably. This condition affects normal digestive processes and can have widespread health consequences if the cancer spreads. There are a variety of methods used to treat this cancer when it is detected, including colon cancer surgery.
What Is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer begins in the large intestine, which is the last segment of the digestive tract. The disease generally starts with noncancerous clumps of cells called polyps that form on the colon’s inner lining. Some polyps can gradually turn cancerous. If left untreated, these cells may invade deeper layers of the colon wall.
Cancerous cells can move into nearby lymph nodes and blood vessels, providing pathways for spread to other organs such as the liver or lungs. The cancer’s stage is determined by how far it has spread and helps guide decisions about treatment. Detecting polyps or early-stage cancer through screening allows for earlier intervention.
What Are the Symptoms?
Colon cancer may not cause symptoms in its early stages. Consulting a healthcare provider can assist in identifying symptoms and determining the underlying cause. As cancer progresses, notable symptoms can include:
- Changes in bowel habits, such as ongoing diarrhea or constipation
- Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
- Ongoing abdominal discomfort
- A sense that the bowel does not empty completely
- Unexplained weight loss
These symptoms may be associated with other health conditions, indicating the need for a professional diagnosis.
How Is It Treated?
Treatment options for colon cancer are selected based on the cancer’s location, size, stage, and the patient’s overall health. These procedures may range from minimally invasive methods to surgical approaches. Proper management often involves one or more of these treatments.
Polyp Removal
If cancer is found early, it may be entirely removed during a colonoscopy. Small cancers that remain inside a polyp can often be treated with polypectomy. Larger polyps can be removed with endoscopic mucosal resection, which takes out the polyp and a portion of the colon lining. These minimally invasive treatments are used when cancer is confined to the polyp.
Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
Chemotherapy uses medications to target and destroy cancer cells. It may be used after surgery to eliminate residual cancer cells and lower the risk of recurrence, or before surgery to shrink tumors. For advanced cases that have spread, chemotherapy can help manage symptoms and extend survival.
Radiation therapy uses focused beams of energy to kill cancer cells and may be less commonly used for colon cancer compared to rectal cancer. When used, radiation may be combined with chemotherapy to shrink tumors before surgery. It can also be utilized to control cancer that has spread.
Colon Cancer Surgery
Colon cancer surgery is often the main approach for colon cancer at most stages. A partial colectomy removes the affected section of the colon and a margin of healthy tissue. Lymph nodes near the cancer may also be removed for testing. When possible, remaining healthy portions of the colon are reconnected. An ostomy can be formed if reconnection is not possible, which creates an opening in the abdomen for waste removal. An ostomy may be temporary or permanent, depending on the individual’s circumstances.
Seek Care From a Specialist
Expert care from a team of specialists supports both diagnosis and treatment. These healthcare professionals coordinate with patients to develop an individualized approach, basing treatment on medical needs and preferences. Regular follow-up visits after treatment help monitor recovery, and ongoing communication with members of the care team supports well-being throughout diagnosis and treatment.
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