Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the colon part of the large intestine, is the most common type of cancer and occurs in older people.

The colon is the last part of the digestive system that connects to the anus. The large intestine consists of two parts called colon and rectum. The first part of the large intestine after the small intestine is the colon. The next part after the colon is the rectum and this is the part that connects to the anus. Colon cancer also occurs in the colon.

Colon Cancer Symptoms

The colon is located on both the right and left side of the intestine. Since the colon on the right side is narrower, it shows itself more quickly with symptoms. However, the colon on the left side is wider, so it is more difficult to diagnose early.
Colon cancer symptoms are symptoms in the intestine that can occur for a variety of reasons that help diagnose colon cancer.

• The most obvious symptoms of colon cancer are prolonged constipation and diarrhea
• Blood in the stool is another symptom of colon cancer
• Constipation and diarrhea can cause abdominal pain, but also other abdominal pains
• Abdominal cramps
• Feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
• Anemia
• Feeling of weakness and fatigue due to anemia
• Unexplained weight loss for no apparent reason

It is among the symptoms of colon cancer.

The colon is located on the right and left side of the large intestine. The colon on the right side has a narrower structure, so the symptoms differ and at the same time the possibility of early diagnosis is higher. The left colon part of the large intestine has a wider structure. It does not show itself immediately with symptoms. Therefore, it is difficult to diagnose. And it continues to progress in the body and transitions to advanced stages. Symptoms of left colon cancer are symptoms such as anemia, weakness, fatigue.

Colon Cancer Stages

Stages of colon cancer is cancer that forms in the colon part of the large intestine and has five different stages, with symptoms varying according to the stage.
Colon cancer is staged to determine how far colon cancer has spread.
There are 5 stages of colon cancer. It starts from 0 and goes up to 4.
Stage 1: It is the earliest stage of colon cancer. Cancer diagnosed at this stage is early diagnosed cancer. Cancer at this stage is called insitu carcinoma. Polypectomy is usually sufficient for cancer at this stage. Very rarely, any part of the large intestine may be removed. This procedure is called colectomy. No chemotherapy or radiotherapy is required for the treatment of cancer at this stage.
Stage 1: This is the first stage of colon cancer. In stage 1, the cancer is attached to the large intestine. In order to treat cancer at this stage, it is necessary to remove part of the large intestine, i.e. to perform a colectomy. During these operations, lymph nodes are also removed from the body to prevent the spread of cancer cells to the lymph tissues. Stage 1 cancer does not require chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Stage 2: This is the second stage of colon cancer. In stage 2, the cancer has spread to the outer parts of the colon but has not yet spread to the lymph nodes. Stage 2 cancer is based on the removal of cancerous cells in the colon and the removal of the lymph nodes at the same time. This procedure is called colectomy. Chemotherapy is usually recommended.
Stage 3 Stage 3 is the third of the colon cancer stages. In stage 3, the cancer has spread beyond the colon to the lymph nodes. With a colectomy, both the cancerous part of the colon and the lymph nodes are removed. Stage 3 cancer is treated with chemotherapy in addition to surgery. Very rarely, radiotherapy may be required.
Stage 4: It is the fourth stage of colon cancer. Stage 4 is the last stage of cancer. At this stage, the cancerous cell has spread to other organs near and far from the colon and lymph nodes. At this stage, surgery will not work to treat the patient. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy aim to shrink the cancerous cells. The cells that are thought to have shrunk sufficiently and the patient is able to respond are removed by surgery. However, sometimes cancerous cells can cause blockages and perforations in the large intestine. If this is detected, the large intestine can be removed.
As the stage of colon cancer progresses, the possibility of treatment decreases. The earlier it is diagnosed, the more successful the treatment will be.

Causes of Colon Cancer

• Genetic factors
• Age
• Having had cancer before
• Exposure to chemical substances
• Polyps
• Malnutrition
• Smoking and alcohol use
• Intestinal inflammation
• Obesity
• Excessive consumption of processed foods

Causes of colon cancer and risk factors are among them.

Can Colon Cancer be Prevented?

If the risk factors for colon cancer are present, it may be possible to protect and prevent colon cancer. Colon cancer symptoms can be prevented with regular screenings and tests. These include blood tests and colonoscopy. Advanced age is among the risk factors and individuals with advanced age should definitely have a colonoscopy. In this way, colon cancer can be prevented.

Colon Cancer Diagnosis

When symptoms of colon cancer are observed, you should definitely seek help from a specialist. Because colon cancer can be dangerous. And early diagnosis of colon cancer is very important. This can significantly change the course of colon cancer treatment. Once colon cancer has been diagnosed, treatment should be started with a positive approach. This has a positive effect on recovery.

Can Colon Cancer Be Prevented?

It is of course possible to prevent colon cancer. If there is a risk of colon cancer, regular screenings should be done. In this way, the possibility of getting colon cancer can be minimized. It is not enough just to have a screening. Changes in habits, for example, giving up habits such as smoking, alcohol use and poor nutrition, can also reduce the risk of developing colon cancer. Regular colonoscopy reduces the risk of developing colon cancer.

Colon Cancer Treatment

Early diagnosis is very important in colon cancer treatment. As with any disease, colon cancer can be more difficult and time-consuming to treat when it progresses. In the treatment of colon cancer, attention should be paid to the stage and location of the cancer. After the necessary scans, treatment is planned and started. Surgical operations in colon cancer treatment are performed using laparoscopic and robotic surgery methods. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are applied after surgical operations in colon cancer treatment. Radiation therapy can be applied before or after the surgical operation. Colon cancer can be treated with these methods.