What is the Colon?

The colon and the rectum are the final portions of the tube that extends from the mouth to the anus. The colon is made up of 6 feet of dense muscle and is divided into four parts: the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon, and the sigmoid colon.

The function of the large intestine is to get rid of food leftover after the nutrients are removed from it, bacteria, and other waste.

What is Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. The disease affects slightly more men than women, and the risk increases with age.

Cancers of the colon and rectum (colorectal cancer) start when the process of the normal replacement of lining cells goes awry. Mistakes in mucosal cell division occur frequently. When this occurs, these cells begin to divide independently of the normal checks and balances that control growth.

As these abnormal cells grow and divide, they can lead to growth within the colon called polyps. Polyps vary in type, but many are precancerous tumors that grow slowly over the course of years and do not spread. As polyps grow, additional genetic mutations further destabilize the cells and can make the cells more bizarre.

When these precancerous tumors change direction (growing into the wall of the tube rather than into the space in the middle of it) and invade other layers of the large intestine, the precancerous polyp has become cancerous. In most cases this process is slow, taking at least 8 to 10 years to develop.

Signs and symptoms of Colon cancer

Colon cancer does not always present with symptoms. Some of the symptoms that may occur:

  • An ongoing change of bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely)
  • Stools that are narrower than usual
  • Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, or abdominal cramps
  • Weight loss for no known reason
  • Feeling very tired (weakness and fatigue)

Traditional treatment options for Colon cancer

There are various treatment options for colon cancer depending on the stage of cancer but may include surgery to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue, resection of the colon, chemotherapy, and/or radiation.