Colon Cancer

It is a type of cancer that starts in the large intestine and usually develops from abnormal cell growths called polyps. Regular screening tests are very important because it usually does not cause symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, blood in the stool, weight loss and digestive problems. Risk factors include family history, obesity, a low-fiber diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Early diagnosis, colon cancer significantly increases the chances of being cured.

Colon Cancer Symptoms

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the large intestine (colon). This type of cancer usually does not cause symptoms in the early stages, which can make it difficult to diagnose. However, as it progresses, various symptoms can appear. Symptoms vary from person to person.

Diarrhea, constipation or changes in stool consistency (thin or stringy) may occur. This should be taken into consideration if it persists for several weeks.

Bright red blood in your stool or dark stool may be a sign of bleeding, but this bleeding can also occur for other reasons, such as hemorrhoids.

You may experience persistent abdominal pain, bloating, cramps or gas problems. This is especially important if the pain lasts for a long time.

In advanced cases, the tumor can block the intestines, making it difficult to have bowel movements. This can lead to abdominal bloating, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain.

An unexplained iron deficiency anemia colon cancer It may be a sign of a heart attack. Hidden blood loss can cause fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath.

Unexplained weight loss is a common symptom. Cancer increases the body's need for energy and can cause loss of appetite.

Cancer can weaken the body, causing general tiredness and weakness, especially when combined with anemia.

A feeling that the bowels are not completely emptied after going to the toilet may indicate the presence of a tumor in the rectum or colon area.

Persistent bloating or gas problems may indicate the presence of a tumor in the intestines.

It is a preventable and treatable disease with screening tests and early diagnosis. It is recommended that individuals over the age of 50 have regular colonoscopy. Early diagnosis increases the chance of treatment and preserves the quality of life.

Colon Cancer Diagnosis

Colon cancer, is a type of cancer that has a high chance of cure when diagnosed early. The diagnosis process usually begins with the evaluation of suspicious symptoms and screening tests.

The doctor reviews the patient's general health, family history, and changes in bowel habits.

During the physical examination, the doctor examines the abdominal area and collects information about the condition of the intestines.

This test aims to detect bleeding in the stool that is not visible to the naked eye. The presence of occult blood in the stool, colon cancer or may indicate other intestinal diseases.

This test, which is recommended to be done once a year, is important in the early diagnosis of cancer. However, it should be supported by other tests to make a definitive diagnosis.

Colonoscopy is the most common and effective diagnostic procedure. This procedure involves examining the entire colon and rectum using a long, flexible tube attached to a camera.

During the procedure, polyps or abnormal tissues may be detected. These structures are biopsied and examined in the laboratory.

Sigmoidoscopy is a procedure similar to a colonoscopy, but only the lower part of the colon is examined. This method may be preferred in cases that do not require a full examination of the colon.

Sigmoidoscopy is less invasive and can be used to make a rapid diagnosis in some cases, but it is a limited screening method because it does not examine the entire colon.

This procedure uses CT scans to create detailed images of the colon. This procedure is less invasive but may be less sensitive than a standard colonoscopy.

If a suspicious area is found during CT colonography, confirmation is usually achieved by colonoscopy.

If abnormal tissue or polyps are seen during a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, a biopsy is done. A biopsy is the most definitive way to confirm the presence of cancer cells.

The tissue samples are subjected to pathological examination in the laboratory to determine whether the cells are cancerous or not.

Blood tests are not usually used to diagnose this cancer. However, some blood tests can provide information about general health status.

Liver and kidney function tests are used to assess the spread of cancer.

Inherited genetic diseases, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome, increase the risk. Genetic testing is done specifically for people with such syndromes.

Genetic testing is done to determine if there is a family history of the individual colon cancer It is recommended if there is a history of or if it developed at a young age.

Additional imaging tests may be used to find out if the cancer has spread beyond the colon. These tests help determine the stage of the cancer.

Once diagnosed, it is important to determine the stage of the cancer, which is critical for shaping a treatment plan.

Staging is usually done by examining tissue taken after surgery and by imaging tests. Stages are listed from I to IV, with stage IV indicating that the cancer has spread to other organs.

Colon Cancer Treatment

Colon cancer The most common method used in treatment is surgery. Surgical intervention varies depending on the stage of the cancer.

Early Stage: If it is detected as a polyp and is confined within the polyp, it is removed during colonoscopy. This procedure can often be effective in the early stages.

Partial Colectomy: If cancer has spread into the colon wall, part of the cancerous area and surrounding healthy tissue is removed. This procedure is called a partial colectomy. During surgery, surrounding lymph nodes are also removed to assess whether they have spread.

Total Colectomy: In some cases, the entire colon may need to be removed. This is rare and is usually reserved for people with hereditary diseases or very large tumors. After a total colectomy, the patient may need to have a permanent or temporary stoma (an artificial hole in the abdominal wall).

Adjuvant Chemotherapy: It is performed to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence after surgical intervention. It is preferred when it is considered that not all cancer cells are removed during surgery or there may be microscopic residues.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: It is done before surgery to shrink the cancerous area and make the procedure easier.

Metastatic Cancer: If the cancer has spread to other organs outside the colon, it helps control the disease. At this stage, chemotherapy can slow the growth of the disease, although it cannot cure it completely. It can also relieve symptoms.

Adjuvant Radiotherapy: It is used to destroy any remaining cancer cells after surgery.

Palliative Radiotherapy: It is performed to relieve pain or remove blockages in advanced cancer cases.

Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific genes that enable cancer cells to grow and spread.

Anti-angiogenesis drugs: These drugs block the formation of blood vessels that are necessary for cancer to grow. Bevacizumab and ramucirumab are examples of such drugs.

EGFR Inhibitors: These drugs block signals that cause cancer cells to grow. Cetuximab and panitumumab are examples of this type of targeted therapy.

Immunotherapy is a treatment that helps the body fight cancer by strengthening the immune system. This method is especially effective in patients with MSI-H. colon cancer It can be effective in patients. The drugs used in immunotherapy help the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells.