Colon cancer

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the large intestine, at the end of the digestive tract, sometimes called colorectal cancer, a term that combines cancer of the colon and cancer of the rectum.

It usually begins as small, non-cancerous (benign) clusters of cells called polyps, which form inside the colon. Over time, some of these polyps may develop into colon cancer.

Polyps can be small and cause few or no symptoms. For this reason, doctors recommend regular screening tests to help prevent colon cancer by identifying and removing polyps before they turn into cancer.

Stages of colon cancer are indicated by Roman numerals ranging from 0 to IV. In the lower stages, the cancer is limited to the mucosa, which is the lining of the interior of the colon, advances and infiltrates the rest of the layers of the colon wall, the muscular and serosa. It then spreads to lymph nodes and when it reaches stage IV, the cancer is considered advanced and has spread (metastasized) to other areas of the body.

Symptoms of colon cancer

Many people with colon cancer experience no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms do appear, they are likely to vary, depending on the size of the cancer and its location in the large intestine.

• Blood and/or mucus in the stool
• Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramping, gas or pain.
• A persistent change in bowel habits, diarrhea or constipation, change in stool consistency, and vomiting in advanced local cases due to bowel obstruction.
• Extreme tiredness and weight loss
• Sensation of incomplete evacuation

What causes colon cancer?

It is not known exactly what causes most colon cancers, but it is known that they can be promoted by multiple causes.

In general, colon cancer begins when healthy colon cells develop changes (mutations) in their DNA.

Risk factors that may contribute to its occurrence are:

• Advanced age.
• African-American race.
• Personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
• Inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
• Family history of colon cancer.
• Diet low in fiber and high in fat, although. research in this area has had mixed results.
• A sedentary lifestyle. Getting regular physical activity may reduce the risk of colon cancer.
• Diabetes.
• Obesity.
• Smoking.
• Alcohol, with excessive consumption
• Radiation therapy for cancer. Radiation therapy to the abdomen to treat previous cases of cancer increases the risk of colon cancer.

Medical tests for early diagnosis of colorectal cancer

It is recommended that screening for colon cancer begin around age 50. But people at higher risk, such as those with a family history of colon cancer, should be screened earlier.

• It is essential to take a well-directed medical history, collecting all the patient’s symptoms and personal and family history. Physical examination including digital rectal examination.
• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT): It consists of depositing feces in a specially designed kit. It is neither painful nor invasive. It serves to determine the presence of non-visible blood and early detection of suspected tumor.
• Complete rectocolonoscopy: A small camera attached to a flexible probe is inserted through the anus. It is used to visualize the inside of the color and rectum.

Can it be prevented?

Measures can be taken to reduce your risk and diagnose it at an early stage, but nothing guarantees that you will not suffer from the disease.

• Maintain a correct body weight with a good diet.
• Be physically active.
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol in excess.
• Perform preventive screening exams.

Colon cancer treatments

If colon cancer occurs, there are many treatments available to help control it, surgery, radiation therapy and drug treatments, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Oncology service protocols indicate the most appropriate and individualized treatment for each patient, aiming for cure and the longest disease-free time.

This definition has been made and corrected with the collaboration of Dr. Victoria Delgado Díaz, proctologist at the Hospital Quirón San Camilo in Madrid.