Overview

Colon cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the colon. Signs of colon cancer are blood in the stool or a change in bowel habits.

Symptoms

A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days. A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that's not relieved by having one. Rectal bleeding with bright red blood. Blood in the stool, which may make the stool look dark. Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain. Weakness and fatigue. Unintended weight loss.

Causes

Age Family history of colorectal cancer Personal history Inherited risk Alcohol consumption Cigarette smoking Race Obesity

Diagnosis

Physical exam and history, Digital rectal exam Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) Sigmoidoscopy Colonoscopy Virtual colonoscopy Biopsy

Prevention

Physical activity, taking Aspirin, combination hormone replacement therapy, and polyp removal.

Treatment

Surgery Radiation therapy Chemotherapy: Capecitabine, Oxaliplatin Targeted therapy: Bevacizumab

Everyday Life

In most cases, colon and rectal cancers grow slowly over many years. Most of those cancers start as a growth called a polyp. Taking out the polyp early may prevent it from turning into cancer.

Resources

https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html

https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/colorectal-cancer/types-treatment

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/if-you-have-colon-rectal-cancer.html