Treatment for Colon Cancer
Colon cancer can be defined as unrestricted cell growth in areas like colon rectum and appendix. Colon cancer is the third largest cancer and causes around 655,000 deaths every year around the globe. Adenomatous polyps in the colon area are the first victim of this cancer. They appear as benign swellings in the initial period. If not detected and checked, the swelling leads to cancer. Colonoscopy is the process of detecting colon cancer. Once detected, physicians use surgery and chemotherapy to deal with this cancer. In this article we will discuss about causes, symptoms and treatments for colon cancer in detail.
A sound knowledge of causes and symptoms lead to earlier detection and better treatments for colon cancer. The symptoms of this cancer vary according to the position of the tumor or swelling in the bowel. However, all tumors are not the initial stage of cancer. Hence in case of tumor, consultation with the physician is always advised. Local symptoms of colon cancer are incomplete defecation and altercation in bowel habit. There might be lower and upper gastrointestinal bleeding, bowel obstruction, bowel perforating, pain and distension in the abdominal area and constipation. However, the local symptoms are more distinct when colon cancer is in the advanced stage. During that stage, the disease has infected other body parts and the victim might witness air/blood in urine and vaginal discharges.
Case history of colon cancer is highly complicated. In US, 7% of the people with cancer are suffering from colon cancer. Senior citizens above age of sixty are the common victims of this cancer. People below age of 50 rarely have this type of cancer. Colon polyps play a crucial role in causing this cancer. Elimination of colon polyps through surgery reduces the risk up to a greater extent. Women diagnosed with ovary, uterus or breast cancer are vulnerable to develop colon cancer. Family history and hereditary factors also factors behind it. Studies have proven that smokers are more vulnerable to colon cancer compared to non-smokers. Similarly, heavy intake of red meat for years and less consumption of fibrous diet also lead to colon cancer.
Colon cancer takes a significant period to develop and show advanced symptoms. Detection and availing better treatments for colon cancer are the most effective ways to deal with it. For detection of colon cancer, doctors use Digital rectal exam, testing of fecal occult blood, Endoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy, Colonoscopy and Double contrast barium enema. Once detected, treatments for colon cancer begin.
Treatment adopted by the physician depends upon the current status of colon cancer. In the earlier stages, there is a bright chance for complete cure. The chance of cure diminishes with the advancement of the disease. Surgery is the primary method of treatment for people suffering from this cancer. Depending upon the advancement of cancer, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also recommended. The major challenge before treatment of colon cancer is the age of the patient. As most of them are senior citizens, the physician needs to adopt an aggressive approach towards treatment.
