Colon Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 600,000 Americans are expected to die of cancer this year. That's more than 1500 Americans who are dying of cancer every single day. Colon cancer is the second most prevalent cancer killer in the United States, with nearly 10 percent of all cancer deaths attributed to this type of cancer. Gastroenterology doctors in Queens report that incidences of colon cancer can be treated if they are caught early, typically with colon cancer screenings.
What is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the lower part of the digestive system, commonly referred to as the colon. Unlike benign (noncancerous) tumors, malignant tumors invade and destroy the tissue that surrounds the tumor. If undiagnosed or left untreated for long, a malignant tumor in the colon can spread to other parts of the anatomy, eventually causing death. Colon cancer typically grows out of polyps, which are benign clumps of cells.
Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of colon cancer include changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or change in stool consistency; persistent abdominal discomfort such as gas or bloating; rectal bleeding or bloody stools; weakness or fatigue; unexplained weight loss; and the feeling that bowels are not emptying completely. However, polyps often have no symptoms, and colon cancer often does not have symptoms in its early stages. Polyps can be spotted on colon cancer screenings, and they can be removed before they become cancerous tumors. Some individuals who have colon cancer experience no symptoms, especially if the disease is in its early stages.
Risk factors
As with many diseases, age is a big risk factor in the development of colon cancer. In fact, the majority of Americans who are diagnosed with colon cancer are over the age of 50. However, colon cancer can occur in younger people, which is why gastroenterology doctors in Queens recommend colon cancer screenings, especially for those who are experiencing persistent abdominal symptoms or who have a history of colon cancer in the family. Age, however, is not the only risk factor for developing colon cancer. African Americans are at a greater risk for developing colon cancer than are people of other races. Additionally, those with a history of colorectal polyps are more likely to develop colon cancer. Low-fiber, high-fat diets and sedentary lifestyles are major risk factors for colon cancer, as are diabetes and obesity. Smokers, too, are at greater risk for colon cancer, as are people whose alcohol intake may be considered heavy.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing colon cancer typically involves medical tests. A colonoscopy, which is a colon cancer screening, is a reliable method of diagnosing cancer of the colon. In this procedure, a long, flexible tube attached to a video camera is inserted into the colon in order to view and monitor the walls of the colon. Biopsies (tissue samples) will be taken with surgical instruments and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Additionally, CT images may be taken via CT colonography. This is a virtual colonoscopy, or colon cancer screening, which may be recommended for patients who cannot undergo a colonoscopy.
Treatment
The type of treatment recommended by a gastroenterology doctor will depend largely on the stage of the colon cancer. The main medical options for treating colon cancer are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Surgery
Surgery can be performed at any stage of cancer, but if the cancer is localized in a polyp, a doctor may be able to remove it during a colonoscopy. If the cancer is growing through or into the colon, a surgeon may recommend a partial colectomy, which means removing part of the colon, along with a small amount of normal tissue surrounding it. In more serious cases, a temporary or even permanent colostomy is recommended. This is a procedure that involves creating an opening into the wall of the abdomen from a portion of the remaining bowel in order to collect waste in a colostomy bag. Advanced colon cancer in patients whose overall health is poor often are recommended to have surgery to relieve the colon blockage. This is often palliative, meaning it is not intended for cure, but for relief of bleeding and pain.
Gastroenterology doctors in Queens agree with the American Cancer Society that routine colon cancer screenings, particularly in Americans over the age of 50, are recommended in order to diagnose and treat colon cancer in its early stages. If you're experiencing any of the signs or symptoms of colon cancer, or if you're over the age of 50, it is recommended that you make an appointment with a gastroenterology doctor for testing.
What is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the lower part of the digestive system, commonly referred to as the colon. Unlike benign (noncancerous) tumors, malignant tumors invade and destroy the tissue that surrounds the tumor. If undiagnosed or left untreated for long, a malignant tumor in the colon can spread to other parts of the anatomy, eventually causing death. Colon cancer typically grows out of polyps, which are benign clumps of cells.
Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of colon cancer include changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or change in stool consistency; persistent abdominal discomfort such as gas or bloating; rectal bleeding or bloody stools; weakness or fatigue; unexplained weight loss; and the feeling that bowels are not emptying completely. However, polyps often have no symptoms, and colon cancer often does not have symptoms in its early stages. Polyps can be spotted on colon cancer screenings, and they can be removed before they become cancerous tumors. Some individuals who have colon cancer experience no symptoms, especially if the disease is in its early stages.
Risk factors
As with many diseases, age is a big risk factor in the development of colon cancer. In fact, the majority of Americans who are diagnosed with colon cancer are over the age of 50. However, colon cancer can occur in younger people, which is why gastroenterology doctors in Queens recommend colon cancer screenings, especially for those who are experiencing persistent abdominal symptoms or who have a history of colon cancer in the family. Age, however, is not the only risk factor for developing colon cancer. African Americans are at a greater risk for developing colon cancer than are people of other races. Additionally, those with a history of colorectal polyps are more likely to develop colon cancer. Low-fiber, high-fat diets and sedentary lifestyles are major risk factors for colon cancer, as are diabetes and obesity. Smokers, too, are at greater risk for colon cancer, as are people whose alcohol intake may be considered heavy.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing colon cancer typically involves medical tests. A colonoscopy, which is a colon cancer screening, is a reliable method of diagnosing cancer of the colon. In this procedure, a long, flexible tube attached to a video camera is inserted into the colon in order to view and monitor the walls of the colon. Biopsies (tissue samples) will be taken with surgical instruments and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Additionally, CT images may be taken via CT colonography. This is a virtual colonoscopy, or colon cancer screening, which may be recommended for patients who cannot undergo a colonoscopy.
Treatment
The type of treatment recommended by a gastroenterology doctor will depend largely on the stage of the colon cancer. The main medical options for treating colon cancer are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Surgery
Surgery can be performed at any stage of cancer, but if the cancer is localized in a polyp, a doctor may be able to remove it during a colonoscopy. If the cancer is growing through or into the colon, a surgeon may recommend a partial colectomy, which means removing part of the colon, along with a small amount of normal tissue surrounding it. In more serious cases, a temporary or even permanent colostomy is recommended. This is a procedure that involves creating an opening into the wall of the abdomen from a portion of the remaining bowel in order to collect waste in a colostomy bag. Advanced colon cancer in patients whose overall health is poor often are recommended to have surgery to relieve the colon blockage. This is often palliative, meaning it is not intended for cure, but for relief of bleeding and pain.
Gastroenterology doctors in Queens agree with the American Cancer Society that routine colon cancer screenings, particularly in Americans over the age of 50, are recommended in order to diagnose and treat colon cancer in its early stages. If you're experiencing any of the signs or symptoms of colon cancer, or if you're over the age of 50, it is recommended that you make an appointment with a gastroenterology doctor for testing.