Colon cancer is a disease in which cancer cells first develop in colon tissues. This eMedTV article offers an overview of colon cancer and discusses its symptoms, risk factors associated with the disease, and treatment options.
The exact causes of colon cancer are not known. However, as this eMedTV article explains, there are certain risk factors (such as smoking or a history of polyps) that, while not causes of colon cancer, do increase the chances of developing it.
Risk factors for colon cancer include being 50 years old or older, having colon polyps, and smoking. This eMedTV Web page explains these and other risk factors for colon cancer that increase the risk of developing the disease.
In people with colon cancer, early symptoms will most likely not occur. As this eMedTV article explains, screening for colon cancer when no early symptoms are present is the most effective way to detect the cancer when it may most easily be treated.
A common colon cancer symptom is blood in the stool; however, as this eMedTV Web page explains, most people don't experience a single colon cancer symptom in the earliest stages of the disease. That's why screening for the disease is so important.
As this eMedTV Web page explains, a doctor making a colon cancer diagnosis will ask about the patient's medical history and symptoms, and conduct a physical exam. Tests used to make a colon cancer diagnosis include a colonoscopy and a barium enema.
Colon cancer stages are used to express the progression of the cancer. As this eMedTV article explains, colon cancer stages are numbered 0 through IV; the cancer may also be recurrent. The higher the number, the farther the cancer has progressed.
Stage 4 colon cancer refers to cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver. This eMedTV article explores treatments for people with stage 4 colon cancer, such as procedures used to treat cancer that has spread to the liver.
Colon cancer treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of methods. This eMedTV article discusses colon cancer treatment, including information about second opinions, follow-up care, and clinical trials.
Examples of colon cancer treatment side effects include pain, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea. This eMedTV resource discusses colon cancer treatment side effects associated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
A colon cancer prognosis is a prediction as to the outcome of the disease. This eMedTV segment discusses factors that affect a colon cancer prognosis, such as the type and size of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the person's general health.
Colon cancer screening involves testing for the disease before symptoms develop. This eMedTV article discusses colon cancer screening in detail and describes various screening tests, such as rectal exams and colonoscopies.
Quitting smoking and avoiding a high-fat, low-fiber diet may help in colon cancer prevention. This eMedTV resource also discusses protective factors that may play a role in colon cancer prevention, such as polyp removal.
As this eMedTV Web page explains, colon cancer research is being conducted to assess the effectiveness of using biological therapy to treat the disease. This article looks at colon cancer research focused on diagnostic tests and treatment methods.
Based on colon cancer statistics, an estimated 148,610 people will be diagnosed with the disease in 2006. This eMedTV resource compiles a variety of statistics concerning colon cancer, including survival rates and age-at-diagnosis data.
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