Colon cancer,

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Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer (when including rectal cancer), is a malignant tumor that develops in the large intestine (colon) — the final part of the digestive system.

It usually begins as small clumps of noncancerous cells (polyps) that form inside the colon. Over time, some polyps can turn into cancerous growths if not detected early.

🧬 Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause isn’t always known, but colon cancer usually develops from DNA mutations that cause cells to grow uncontrollably.

Major Risk Factors

  • Age: Most cases occur after age 50

  • Family history of colon cancer or polyps

  • Genetic syndromes: Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)

  • Diet high in red or processed meat

  • Low-fiber, high-fat diet

  • Obesity or sedentary lifestyle

  • Smoking and heavy alcohol use

  • Inflammatory bowel diseases: Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease

  • Type 2 diabetes

⚠️ Early Signs and Symptoms

Colon cancer often has no symptoms in early stages, which is why screening is critical.
When symptoms appear, they may include:

  • Persistent change in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or narrow stools)

  • Blood in stool (bright red or dark)

  • Abdominal pain, cramps, or gas

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Fatigue or weakness

  • Feeling that the bowel doesn’t empty completely

  • Iron-deficiency anemia (from chronic bleeding)

🩺 Diagnosis

Doctors use several methods to detect and stage colon cancer:

  1. Colonoscopy – Examines the colon and removes suspicious polyps for biopsy.

  2. Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) / FIT – Detects hidden blood in stool.

  3. CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) – Imaging to visualize the colon.

  4. Blood tests – Check for anemia or CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) tumor marker.

  5. Biopsy – Confirms cancer by microscopic tissue analysis.

  6. Imaging scans (CT, MRI, PET) – Determine if the cancer has spread (metastasized).

🧩 Stages of Colon Cancer

StageDescription
Stage 0 (Carcinoma in situ)Cancer confined to inner lining of colon
Stage IGrown into colon wall but not beyond
Stage IISpread through colon wall but not to lymph nodes
Stage IIISpread to nearby lymph nodes
Stage IVSpread to distant organs (liver, lungs, etc.)

💊 Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, overall health, and whether it has spread.

1. Surgery

  • Polypectomy / Local excision: Removal of polyps during colonoscopy (for very early stages).

  • Partial colectomy: Removes the cancerous part of the colon and nearby lymph nodes.

  • Colostomy: Creates an opening for waste to exit if bowel reconnection isn’t possible.

  • Laparoscopic surgery: Minimally invasive option for smaller tumors.

2. Chemotherapy

Uses anti-cancer drugs to kill or slow growth of cancer cells.

  • Common drugs: 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), Capecitabine (Xeloda), Oxaliplatin, Irinotecan.

  • Given after surgery (adjuvant therapy) to prevent recurrence or before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) to shrink tumors.

3. Radiation Therapy

  • High-energy rays target cancer cells to destroy them.

  • Often used for rectal cancer or to shrink tumors before surgery.

4. Targeted Therapy

Drugs that attack specific proteins or cancer cell mechanisms.

  • Bevacizumab (Avastin): Blocks tumor blood vessel growth.

  • Cetuximab (Erbitux), Panitumumab (Vectibix): Target EGFR protein on cancer cells.

5. Immunotherapy

Boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer.

  • Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and Nivolumab (Opdivo) for cancers with microsatellite instability (MSI-high) or mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR).

6. Supportive / Palliative Care

  • Relieves pain, fatigue, or digestive issues in advanced cases.

  • Focuses on comfort and improving quality of life.

🧘 Prevention

  • Regular colon cancer screening (start at age 45 or earlier if family history).

  • Eat fiber-rich foods: fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

  • Limit red and processed meats.

  • Maintain healthy weight and exercise regularly.

  • Avoid smoking and excess alcohol.

  • Aspirin (low-dose) may reduce risk (under doctor supervision).

❤️ Prognosis

  • Early detection = highly treatable.

    • Stage I survival rate: ~90%

    • Stage IV survival rate: ~15%

  • Many patients live long-term with modern treatments and follow-up care.

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