Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. It is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of death among cancers in the Western world.

Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from adenomatous polyps in the colon. These mushroom-like growths are usually benign, but some may develop into cancer over time. The majority of the time, the diagnosis of localized colon cancer is through colonoscopy.

Therapy is usually through surgery, which in many cases is followed by chemotherapy. Colorectal cancer can take many years to develop and early detection of colorectal cancer greatly improves the chances of a cure.

Therefore, screening for the disease is recommended in individuals who are at increased risk. There are several different tests available for this purpose.Surgical treatment is by far the most likely to result in a cure of colon cancer if the tumor is localized.

Very early cancer that develops within a polyp can often be cured by removing the polyp at the time of colonoscopy. More advanced cancers typically require surgical removal of the section of colon containing the tumor leaving sufficient margins to reduce likelihood of re-growth.

If possible, the remaining parts of colon are anastomosed together to create a functioning colon. In cases when anastomosis is not possible, a stoma (artificial orifice) is created. While surgery is not usually offered if significant metastasis is present, surgical removal of isolated liver metastases is common. Improved chemotherapy has increased the number of patients who are offered surgical removal of isolated liver metastases.

Laparoscopic assist resection of the colon for tumour can reduce the size of painful incision and minimize the risk of infection.

As with any surgical procedure, colorectal surgery can in rare cases result in complications. These may include infection, abscess, fistula or bowel obstruction.

About the Author :Colorectal or colon cancer is the third most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer related deaths. This article is distributed by: www.iSnare.com

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Colon cancer also known as colorectal cancer is cancer cells that are present in the long tube known as the large intestine and rectum. Some tumors found in this area are called polyps are not cancerous; however, tumors that are malignant are cancer. The polyps can be removed without the worry of spreading the disease, as they are not cancerous. Cancer of the colon or rectum on the other hand, can spread to other areas of the body and tissue. This occurs when cancer cells break away from the tumor and travel to other areas of the body, which is called metastasis, and can spread to the liver or the lungs. After metastasis occurs, the prognosis for a full recovery is dim.

The causes of Colon Cancer

As with practically all cancers, the exact causes are not known, however, risk factors that are present may help lead scientists to the answer. The risk factors for developing colon cancer include the following.

Diet

Individuals that eat a diet high in fat are at a higher risk of developing colon cancer. Those that eat a balanced diet and include such things as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables decrease their chances of developing colon cancer.

Colon polyps

Physicians believe that untreated polyps develop into colon cancer. In the majority of cases, these polyps are benign; however, over years without being removed the cells can change due to chromosome damage, which can become cancerous.

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis can be a cause of colon cancer. This disorder brings on inflammation to the inner lining of the colon. In the majority of individuals with ulcerative colitis their chances of colon cancer begins to increase after 8 to 10 years of living with the disorder. Research shows colon cancer and individuals with ulcerative colitis include after 10 years 2.5% had colon cancer, after 30 years the rate rose to 7.6%, and after 50 years, it had risen to 10.8%.

Heredity

Past history of relatives with colon cancer increases the risk of this type of cancer. However, 80 percent of all patients do not have a family history of the disease.

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Many people do not realize they have colon cancer due to the fact that the symptoms may not be present for many years after the development of the cancer cells. The symptoms can differ according to the location of the cancer or the tumor. The right colon is very large and in most cases, the symptoms are not apparent except for the possibility of becoming anemic due to iron deficiency due to the cancer. The left colon on the other hand is smaller and can cause partial or complete obstruction of the bowel bringing on constipation, diarrhea, cramps, bloating, and abdominal pain.

The main symptoms that are present with colon cancer include weakness, fatigue, change in bowel movements, shortness of breath, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, cramps, bloating, abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and diverticulosis.

About the Author:Amdre Smith is a webmaster that runs the site Howtoall, a site with how to advice and tips. Understanding bladder cancer Different types of cancer
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How to Understand Causes of Colon Cancer

I am sure you have heard of colon cancer, but do you know what it is and do you know what causes it? Colon cancer – also known as colorectal cancer – is the unrestrained expansion of cancer cells on the inner lining of the colon. Now if you forget what a colon is (which is normal, since we all aren’t medical students), it is simply the part of the large intestine that extracts moisture from one’s digested food before it is excreted. A common ailment in Western societies, this type of cancer has taken the lives of many, resulting in broken distraught families.

Now let’s take a closer look at what causes this terrible disease. Notably, we owe this knowledge to the biochemist Dr. Warburg who discovered the cause and prevention of this type of cancer. He states that plainly, colon cancer is caused by the lack of oxygen reaching the colon cells of the body. Developing later in this process are adenomatous polyps which also turn cancerous and in effect worsen the patient’s health. These polyps are seen on the inner walls of the colon. In addition, there are ways in which the lack of a healthy lifestyle can also increase the likelihood of developing colon cancer, which usually affects both men and women before the age of 40 years. These include smoking, which is a serious risk factor as it not only affects the lungs of the body, but many other systems as well. Obesity is another risk factor due to the fact that having a low oxygen level is prevalent in persons who are overweight. It therefore stands to reason that if a person can maintain a balanced oxygen level suitable for a healthy body and mind, then they can also decrease their risk of having a cancerous colon. This should be supplemented with a diet high in fruits and vegetables.

There are also risk factors associated with genes. In essence, adenomatous polyposis syndromes often run in families, making it much easier for a descendent to develop a cancerous colon, especially in cases with a first-degree family member with this illness. These risk factors are propelled even further if more than one relative have had the battle with colon cancer, developing it at an early age. Once the presence of colon cancer has been diagnosed, there are important additional factors which may increase its impact on the human body. Colon cancer cells use sugar as a source of energy to survive within the body and if a lot of sugars are part of the diet, then it can only pose more health problems to the patient.

All in all, there is a bright side to this grim picture; colon cancer – even though it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the Western world – is treatable, and more importantly, preventable. Even for those individuals who are at risk because of family history, they also can take preventative measures to decrease its chances of occurring. The best thing you can do is to always know your status, live a healthy lifestyle, and stay on top of your healthcare!

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with colon cancer, be sure to investigate colon cancer and surgery on our site. You may particularly be interested in laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer, a much less invasive procedure that is often used today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_J_Bruton

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Stress is an integral part of most people’s lives. But when that stress becomes distress, it can have serious effects on the efficiency of the colon, even to the point of it becoming cancerous.

Traumatic stress reduces the body’s ability to protect itself from attack by infections, and from diseases such as colon cancer. When a trauma is experienced, the body has received a ‘shock’ from which it normally recovers. However, a stressful experience can have the effect of disabling the normal functioning of the body, so that specific organs, such as the colon, are attacked to the point where recovery is lessened. The immune system, which fights infection, is also weakened when you come under stress.

The colon responds strongly to various stimuli, like foods or stress; and while these do not bother most people, they can have a negative effect on others.

One of the organs that is vulnerable to disease is the colon. Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is associated with stressful conditions, and if not treated, can lead to serious health problems.

In people with IBS, stress and other strong emotions can strongly affect the colon in a negative way. As with many other organs, it, too, has many nerves that connect it to the brain. The heart, lungs and colon are partly controlled by the autonomic nervous system, and this responds to stress. That’s why when you are frightened, your heart beats faster, your blood pressure rises, or you may gasp for breath. The colon also responds to stress.

Let me list some things that have been linked with a worsening of Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms: eating large meals can lead to bloating from gas in the colon; having to take certain medicines; foods, such as, wheat, rye, barley, chocolate, milk products, or alcohol can exasperate the problem; drinks with caffeine in them, such as, coffee, tea, or colas; and the one we are concerned about in this brief article – situations of stress, living in the midst of conflict, or even emotional upsets, can all lead towards a worsening colon condition.

However, there is help available. You can inform yourself about this condition, and perhaps make simple life-style changes that could improve your health, and save you a lot of trouble in the future. Just click on the link below to see other actions you might be willing to take to spare you and your family unnecessary worry.

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Another helpful technique in diagnosing colon cancer is the stool-guaiac test or occult stool blood test which helps the doctor detect blood in your stool that is invisible to the naked eye. You should have one annually after the age of 50.

The results of this test will determine whether you need other screening procedures for colon cancer such as proctosigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. What are these tongue-twisters?

In the former, the doctor uses a flexible, lighted tube called a proctosigmoidoscope to examine the lower portion of the colon and rectum – the area where cancers are usually found. This should be done initially at the age of 45 and every other year thereafter depending on your condition. For those with a family history of the disease, more frequent tests are required.

“Almost 50 percent of all colorectal cancer or polyps can be seen during such an examination. In addition, diagnosis of other diseases such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis can be made with this instrument. Samples of tissue can be taken through the instrument for later examination under a microscope (biopsy),” said Dr. David E. Larson, editor-in-chief of the “Mayo Clinic Family Health Book.”

Colonoscopy, on the other hand, examines the entire colon using a somewhat similar instrument called a fiberoptic endoscope. This gives a clear view of the lining of the colon from the anus to the cecum (the beginning of the large bowel located in the right lower portion of the abdomen).

The endoscope also permits the physician to remove polyps and to search for a cause of chronic or acute bleeding when other tests have failed to do so.

In about half of cases, surgery can cure colon cancer. How extensive this will be depends on the location and size of the cancerous growth. The surgeon may remove the tumor and rejoin healthy pieces of the rectum so the patient can function normally. Or he may remove the entire rectum and create an artificial opening called a stoma on the abdominal wall for stool to pass out. This happens in about 20 percent of cases.

Additional treatment in the form of chemotherapy and radiation may follow. For cancer that has spread to the lungs, little can be done.

“In summary, remember, the key to the cure of colon cancer is early detection and immediate removal of the polyp or tumor. Follow-up chemotherapy and immunotherapy, even if malignancy appears to have been totally cut out, have also been shown to be effective,” concluded Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld of the New York Hospital – Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in “The Best Treatment.”

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About the Author:Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Screening Procedure for Colon Cancer

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