A Comprehensive Guide to Colorectal Cancer ( Colon Cancer ) Treatment Treatment

Colon Cancer is the abnormal growth of the cells in the inner lining of the colon part of the large intestine also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer. This abnormal growth is called a polyp.

Colorectal cancer can affect men and women equally. However, studies have proven that men might develop it at a younger age.

What causes colon cancer

There is no definite cause of colorectal cancer, but old age and certain lifestyle factors can increase colorectal cancer risk. Some of these colorectal cancer risk factors include the following:

Types of Colorectal Cancer

A majority of colorectal cancers are adenocarcinoma. If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, there are 95 percent chance that it is an adenocarcinoma. But there are some other types of colorectal cancer such as:

Carcinoid: A rare type of Tumor and can grow slower than adenocarcinoma.
Gastrointestinal stromal: GISTs are rare tumors that can occur in the digestive tract.
Lymphomas: They can be developed in the colon, but they are relatively uncommon. They originate in the lymphatic system and may affect the colon.
Sarcomas: are rare and can develop in the connective Tissues of the colon, such as blood vessels.

There are no early signs of colorectal cancer, but once it grows, the patients may experience the following colon cancer symptoms:

Fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath
Change in bowel habits, including diarrhoea or constipation
Blood in stool
Abdominal discomforts such as cramps, bolting, or pain
Dramatic weight loss

Before preparing a treatment plan, the doctor is likely to order a few tests. These may include the following:

Fecal occult blood test (blood stool test)
Stool DNA test
Sigmoidoscopy
Colonoscopy
Biopsy
Ultrasound
MRI

These tests are used for diagnosis of colorectal cancer. With the help of these tests, the surgeon is able to identify the extent of cancer and accordingly prepare a treatment plan that will suit patient the most.

Colorectal cancer treatment is initiated as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed. However, it is important to determine the stage of cancer before initiating colorectal cancer treatment. The stage of cancer is also determined with the help of tests mentioned above.

The following are the different stages of colorectal cancer:

Stage 0: It is the earliest stage when the cancer is still within the mucosa of the colon or rectum.
Stage I: At this stage, the growth of cancer reaches the inner layer of the colon or rectum, but has not yet spread beyond the wall of the rectum or colon.
Stage II: Cancer extends through the wall of the adjacent structures at this stage. However, it has not reached the nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III: In this stage, cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes, but it has not yet affected any other parts of the body.
Stage IV: In this stage, cancer has metastasized to distant organs or lymph nodes, including other organs such as the liver, the membrane lining the abdominal cavity, lung or ovary.
Recurrent: This is a returning stage in which cancer returns after treatment. It may again affect the rectum, colon or elsewhere in the body.

Patients undergoing the surgery are required to stay in the hospital for at least two to three days after the surgery. You may expect yourself to be discharged from the hospital after regaining bowel function and the ability to eat without the support of an IV. Pain is controlled with the help of medications and it may take another two to three weeks at home before you can switch back to your normal routine.

If the Patient had surgery for the removal of bowel cancer, it may take a few weeks before you can return to work. In the case of laparoscopic surgery, you can return to work in about two weeks. In the case of open surgery, it may take around four to six weeks for you to return to work.

Patients must pay particular attention to eating the right food and avoid dehydration after bowel cancer surgery. Include high-protein foods in your diet and choose low-fiber foods if you have diarrhea. Additionally, eat limited amounts of green vegetables and only eat peeled fruits.

Patients who undergo chemotherapy before or after the surgery may experience a few side effects such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and pint pain. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to minimize the side effects and recover quickly. Take emergency medications prescribed by the doctor, if needed.