Colon Cancer
...l movements, mucus discharge from the rectum, gas pains, and hemorrhoids.' As the tumor in the colon grows, it blocks the bowel which leads to later infections or bleeding in the abdominal cavity. As the tumor spreads, it can cause other types of problems in the body such as liver pains, loss of appetite, or other cancer of the organs. Colon cancer can be diagnosed in many different ways. Unfortunately, not many are getting tested for the disease until it is too late. Screening for blood in stool is recommended for people over the age of fifty even if they have no risk factors. If there is suspicion of possible colon cancer, there are other more thorough ways to test. One way it can be tested is by having a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a procedure in which doctors can look into the entire colon and collect tissue through the scope.' Another way is an endoscopy. That is where a small tube is used to take a sample of tissue without making an incision, and the tissue is examined for cancer under a microscope.' After detection of the cancer is made, the cancer is categorized into stages of development. The treatment of the cancer depends on the stage that it is in and the general health of the patient. If cancer is in stage I the cancer is very curable. The reason is because the tumor has not grown beyond the innermost layer of the colon wall and has not begun to spread. In stage II of colon cancer, the cancer starts to spread toward nearby tissue which become a problem if it enters into stage III. The reason is because in stage III, the cancer starts to spread to nearby lymph nodes. The worse and harder to treat is after stage III. At stage IV, the cancer is completely spreading to other parts of the body. Based on the stages of the cancer, the treatment varies. For the least severe colon cancer, stage I, removal of the tumor by surgery is preferred. As the cancer progresses though into stages II, III, and IV, there are other treatments offered along with surgery. Such treatments are chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Hopefully, if people get tested early enough, they will not have to result to other treatments besides surgery. As the cancer progresses past stage II, the chances for recovery become slim. After treatment, patients are monitored closely to determine the effectiveness of the treatment.' If all goes well the cancer will not reappear. Colon cancer usually does not grow rapidly. Recurrences can happen several years later.' ...