Cancer Types
Colon Cancer
Risk Factors & Prevention
Factors such as age (risk increases with age), family history of colon cancer or polyps, personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), inherited genetic syndromes, sedentary lifestyle and obesity, smoking and heavy alcohol consumption, diets high in red or processed meats and low in fruits and vegetables can increase the risk.
Preventive measures include regular screening starting at age 45 or earlier if there is a family history, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, limiting alcohol consumption, and eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Screening & Symptoms
Screening:
Screening for colon cancer involves tests such as colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, fecal occult blood tests (FOBT), fecal immunochemical tests (FIT), and stool DNA tests. These tests can detect precancerous polyps or early-stage cancer when treatment is most effective.
Symptoms & Signs:
Common symptoms of colon cancer include:
- Changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation)
- Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Iron deficiency anemia
Diagnosis & Stages
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of colon cancer involves a combination of imaging tests (such as CT scans and MRI), colonoscopy, biopsy (taking a tissue sample for examination), and blood tests to determine the extent and stage of cancer.
Sub-types & Stages:
Colon cancer can be classified into different subtypes based on the type of cells involved and their characteristics. Staging helps determine the extent of cancer spread and guides treatment decisions.
Treatment Modalities & Coping Treatment:
Treatment Modalities:
Treatment options for colon cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. The choice of treatment depends on the stage of cancer, overall health, and individual preferences.
Coping With Treatment:
Coping with colon cancer treatment can be challenging. It's essential to communicate openly with healthcare providers, seek support from loved ones or support groups, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and explore relaxation techniques to manage stress.
Do's & Don'ts During Treatment
Do's:
- Do follow your treatment plan as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- Do eat a healthy, balanced diet to maintain strength and energy.
- Do stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
Don'ts:
- Don't hesitate to ask for help from friends, family, or support groups.
- Don't neglect self-care activities like exercise and relaxation techniques.
- Don't smoke or consume alcohol during treatment.
Post Treatment Support, Followup Care and Surveillance :
Post Treatment Support:
After completing treatment, patients may require ongoing support to manage any side effects, monitor for recurrence, and adjust to life after cancer. This may involve regular follow-up appointments, rehabilitation programs, and support groups.
Follow-up Cancer Plan:
A follow-up cancer plan typically includes regular check-ups, imaging tests, and blood tests to monitor for any signs of cancer recurrence or complications. It also involves addressing any ongoing side effects or concerns.
Surveillance & Monitoring for Indications for Recurrence:
Regular surveillance and monitoring are essential for detecting any signs of cancer recurrence or complications early. This may involve imaging tests, blood tests, and physical examinations as recommended by healthcare providers.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
• Bleeding through stools
• Bloating of Abdomen
• Change on Bowel habits
• Alternating Constipation and Diarrhea
• Sometimes just Anemia
- By careful clinical examination
- By doing Biopsy. It is done through a procedure called as Colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy helps to find Ulcers, Tumors, areas of inflammation or bleeding in the large intestine. In Colonoscopy a tube is inserted through the large intestine and the internal structure of the large intestine is examined and necessary Biopsy is taken.
• Sometimes a Citi scan is done and MRI is preferred in certain areas.
• PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography) is rarely done and there are other blood investigations as well.
Colorectal Cancer is nowadays treated with minimal access. The main treatment in this cancer is basically a surgery which forms a main part of this cancer.
Surgery is nowadays Laparoscopic assisted which means instead of requiring large motility incisions, blood can now do be taken by very small incisions and doing the same surgery.
Minimally access surgery is now a proven method worldwide and has been adopted since its early times by Dr. Anil Heroor. We have done more than 600 cases of Colorectal Cancer by this means and have also published a paper regarding our experiences of the same.
The other treatments which are required for Colorectal Cancer are Chemotherapy & Radiation.
Nowadays targeted Chemotherapy is a therapy that directly goes to the cancer cells and minimizes the other side effects of Chemotherapy.
Radiation is also required in treatment of Colorectal Cancer especially in the Cancer of the Rectum or the last end of the large intestine. Radiation is now done pre-operatively or before surgery as it has been proven that it helps to improve the survival and save the Sphincter. Because of all these techniques many patients can get operated without sacrificing the normal passage of passing stools and Sphincter preserving surgery can be done.