Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the developed world.

  Colon cancer is the term commonly used to describe colo-rectal (or bowel) cancer. The colon is part of the intestines. These consist of the small intestine (the section between the stomach and the appendix) and the large intestine (from the appendix to the anus). The large intestine is divided into the long colon and a short rectum, just before the anus. Two thirds of these cancers occur in the colon and one third in the rectum, with very few in the small intestine

 

Symtoms

There are a variety of known symptoms of colon cancer including abdominal pain, diarrhoea and constipation, blood in the faeces, or even a blockage of the bowel. However, the symptoms vary from case to case and some cases do not cause any symptoms at all.

 

  
 
   

 Treatment

Surgery is the main method of treatment. The part of the colon containing the tumour is chopped out and usually a colostomy is performed. In a colostomy, the end of the bowel is diverted to the surface of the abdomen, where the faeces are collected in a plastic bag. Sometimes this is a temporary measure and when the part of the colon that had the cancer has recovered, it can be reconnected to the rest of the bowel. However, if the tumour is in the lower rectum, then both the rectum and anus have to be removed and the colostomy will be permanent. Often patients are given radiotherapy or chemotherapy after the operation as this can kill off any remaining cancer cells.

 

 

  Facts

 Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the developed world.
Here we answer some frequently asked questions about Colon Cancer symptoms, causes and treatments.

 

2007 Dreamers

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