If you think you may have colon cancer, you need to know what to expect from treatment. Read on to learn about the risks of colon cancer, its treatment, and how to spot the early signs of the disease. The information provided here is not intended to be comprehensive and is meant to serve as a guideline only. Consult a doctor for more information. In some cases, the doctor may perform surgery on the patient. To avoid complications, consult a doctor before undergoing surgery.
Treatment options
There are several treatment options available for colon cancer. While some treatments, such as chemotherapy, are effective at shrinking the tumor, others aren’t. In some cases, surgery is necessary to relieve blockages or other complications caused by cancer. Another option is diverting colostomy, a surgical procedure that cuts part of the colon above the cancerous area and attaches it to the opening of the skin. These two treatments can be life-saving in some cases.
Surgery is one of the most common treatments for colon cancer. The surgeon will remove part of the colon, including nearby lymph nodes. He will then reattach the colon to the rectum. Alternatively, he or she may perform a colostomy, an opening in the abdominal wall that allows waste to be drained. Colonostomy procedures may be temporary or permanent, and may be followed by chemotherapy.
Risk factors
Some risk factors for colon cancer include age and obesity. People with a large waistline and those who smoke are at higher risk. A sedentary lifestyle is also associated with an increased risk. Physical activity, including walking for 30 minutes per day, can decrease your risk. Also, limiting your intake of red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks is beneficial. Smoking is a risk factor for colon cancer, but avoiding it is not impossible. Many support groups are available to help you quit.
Genetics play an important role in colon cancer risk. Known as Lynch syndrome, this disorder results from the failure of genes to repair DNA. Several genetic changes have been linked to Lynch syndrome, which raises the risk for colon cancer. Genetic testing can identify family members at higher risk for colon cancer. Genetic counseling can also help determine the risk factor for colon cancer. This information is helpful for deciding whether to get screened for colon cancer.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of colon cancer varies widely depending on its stage and the risk factors that lead to it. It may not invade local lymph nodes, but it may have spread to distant organs. In rare cases, it may even come back to the colon after treatment. The first step is to determine the exact stage. Stage 0 cancers have not spread beyond the colon’s inner layers. Stage 1 cancers have already spread to one or more lymph nodes. The second stage is known as carcinoma in situ. Stage 2 and stage 3 cancers have spread to distant organs, but may still be localized.
The treatment for colon cancer depends on its stage and type. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment for you based on your specific case. Surgery is generally the main treatment option for early-stage colon cancer, although other treatments, such as polypectomy, may also be offered. In addition to surgery, other options include radiation and other therapies. Treatment for colon cancer depends on its stage, overall health, and symptoms. Patients who have early-stage colon cancer may undergo a polypectomy, which removes a polyp that has become cancerous.
Treatment
When a patient develops colon cancer, treatment options include surgery and chemotherapy. Surgical methods include a partial colectomy, which removes the cancer and some healthy tissue around it. This procedure is often used if the cancer has spread to the rectal wall. Chemotherapy involves using drugs to destroy cancerous tumors. Surgical treatments can also increase their effectiveness. Listed below are some of the most common types of colon cancer treatment.
Surgery is a popular treatment option for colon cancer. While surgery is unlikely to cure the condition, it can prolong a patient’s life if it removes a small area of the colon or nearby lymph nodes. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, however, surgery is still an option. The surgeon may use a stent to keep the colon open, while an advanced form of surgery called diverting a colostomy will cut the colon above the cancer level and attach it to the skin opening.
