Colon carcinoma

Colon Carcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in the colon or large intestine, which is a part of the digestive system. It is also known as colorectal cancer, along with rectal cancer, as these two types of cancer share many common features.

Overview

Colon carcinoma is the third most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The disease typically starts as small, benign clumps of cells known as adenomatous polyps. Over time, some of these polyps can become colon cancers.

Symptoms

Symptoms of colon carcinoma may include changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain, a feeling that the bowel doesn't empty completely, weakness or fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.

Risk Factors

Several factors may increase the risk of developing colon carcinoma. These include older age, African-American race, a personal history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer, inflammatory intestinal conditions, inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk, family history of colon cancer, low-fiber and high-fat diet, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, obesity, smoking, alcohol, radiation therapy for cancer.

Prevention

Prevention strategies for colon carcinoma include regular screening tests, a healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking and heavy alcohol use.

Treatment

Treatment for colon carcinoma may involve surgery to remove the cancer, chemotherapy to kill cancer cells, radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tissue, or targeted drug therapy to block specific genes and proteins that allow cancer cells to grow.