Colon cancer
| Normal anatomy |
|
The colon, or large intestine, is a muscular tube that begins at
the end of the small intestine and ends at the rectum. The colon
absorbs water from liquid stool that is delivered to it from the
small intestine. |
| Indication |
|
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States.
Risk factors include certain types of colonic polyps, inflammatory
bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), and
certain hereditary disorders. Obesity, lack of exercise, and poor
diets also contribute to colon cancer. |
| Incision |
|
The treatment of colon cancer depends on the stage of the disease.
Stage I cancer is limited to the inner lining of the colon; stage
II cancer involves the entire wall of the colon; stage III cancer
has spread to the lymph nodes; stage IV cancer has spread to other
organs (metastasized). |
| Procedure |
|
Surgery is the main treatment for colon cancer and removal of the
involved colon is required. If the cancer is located near the
rectum, a colostomy may be necessary. For stage I and II colon
cancer, surgery is usually the only treatment. For stage III or IV
colon cancer, chemotherapy is necessary after surgery. There is
also some suggestion that chemotherapy may also be helpful in some
selected stage II patients. Chemotherapy involves a course of drugs
which are toxic to cancer cells. |
| Aftercare |
|
Stage I and II colon cancer have very high cure rates (60 - 90%);
lower cure rates are seen with stage III and IV colon cancer. To
detect colon cancer early, when it is most curable, everyone over
the age of 50 should have regular screening for colon cancer.
Colonoscopy is the most accurate screening test. |
Review Date: 3/24/2008
Reviewed By: Stephen Gund, MD, PhD, Chief of Hematology/Oncology
and Director of the George Bray Cancer Center at New Britain
General Hospital, New Britain, CT. Review provided by VeriMed
Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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