A serious disease, colon cancer occurs when 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 do increase your 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 the cancer when no early symptoms are present is the most effective way to detect colon cancer when it may most easily be treated.
Blood in the stool is a common sign of colon cancer; 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 tests are 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.
As this eMedTV segment explains, the stages of colon cancer are used to express the progression of the cancer. The stages are numbered 0 through IV; the cancer may also be recurrent. The higher the number, the farther the cancer has progressed.
When colon cancer spreads to other parts of the body, such as the liver, it is staged at a level 4. This eMedTV page explores treatment options for people with stage 4 colon cancer, such as procedures used to treat cancer that has spread to the liver.
As this eMedTV segment explains, treating colon cancer may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of methods. This article talks about treatment options, second opinions, follow-up care, and clinical trials on colon cancer.
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.
As this eMedTV Web page explains, screening for colon cancer involves testing for the disease before symptoms develop. This article discusses the screening process 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 prevent colon cancer. This eMedTV resource also discusses protective factors that may play a role in 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.
In 2006, an estimated 148,610 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer. This eMedTV resource compiles a variety of statistics concerning colon cancer, including survival rates and age-at-diagnosis data.
