Colon Cancer

Colon CancerChris Aresco

Statistics51,848 people in the United States died of colon cancer in 2009 (26,806 men and 25,042 women)Colon cancer is not only a common killer but is also one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the USA with 136,717 people diagnosed in 2009Medical professionals recommend regular colon cancer screenings for men and women starting at the age of 50Screenings are able to find abnormal growths before they turn into cancer

SymptomsDiarrhea, constipation, or change in stool consistencyBlood in stool Rectal BleedingWeakness FatigueDrastic Weight lossCramps, gas, and fatigueFelling that your bowel has not emptied

Risk Factors and Preventative MeasuresAgeFamily HistoryRace and ethnic backgroundObesity and DiabetesSmoking and AlcoholExercise and a healthy diet are crucial

Diagnostic TestingRegular ScreeningsColonoscopies could be recommendedregular screening and stool samples and a colonoscopy every 10 years. BiopsiesDoctors can use Ct scans, X-rays, and PET scans to see if the cancer has spread to different locations of the body.

TreatmentsSurgery: Removal of TumorsRadiation Therapy: Destroy Cancer cells and shrink tumorChemotherapy: Destroy Rapidly growing cells and used if cancer has metastasized in the liver

ColonoscopyA colonoscopy is the most common test for cancerCan test if the tissue in your colon is healthyTests and locates Polyps

Stage 0Abnormal cells are found in an inner layerCarcinoma in situ.

Stage 1Mucosa (innermost layer of the colon wall),SubmucosaCancer may have spread to the muscle layer of the colon wall.

Stage IIStage IIA: Muscle Wall and SerosaStage IIB: Through the serosa but not yet to the nearby organsStage IIC: Through the serosa and off to nearby organs

Stage IIIStage IIIA: Cancer has spread through the mucosa of the colon wall to the submucosa and may have spread to the muscle layer of the colon wall. Cancer has spread to at most 6 nearby lymph nodes or cancer cells have formed in tissues near the lymph nodesStage IIIB: Cancer has spread through the muscle layer of the colon wall to the serosa of the colon wall or has spread through the serosa but not to nearby organs. Cancer has spread to at least one but not more than 3 nearby lymph nodes or cancer cells have formed in tissues near the lymph nodes; or Cancer has spread to the muscle layer of the colon wall or to the serosa of the colon wall. Cancer has spread to at least 4 but not more than 6 nearby lymph nodes; or Cancer has spread through the mucosa of the colon wall to the submucosa and may have spread to the muscle layer of the colon wall. Cancer has spread to 7 or more nearby lymph nodes.Stage IIIC: Cancer has spread through the serosa of the colon wall but has not spread to nearby organs. Cancer has spread to at least 4 but not more than 6 nearby lymph nodes; or Cancer has spread through the muscle layer of the colon wall to the serosa of the colon wall or has spread through the serosa but has not spread to nearby organs. Cancer has spread to 7 or more nearby lymph nodes; or Cancer has spread through the serosa of the colon wall and has spread to nearby organs. Cancer has spread to one or more nearby lymph nodes or cancer cells have formed in tissues near the lymph nodes

Stage IVStage IVA: Cancer may have spread through the colon wall and may have spread to nearby organs. Spread to one organ that is not near the colonStage IVB: Through the colon wall and may have spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes. Spread to more than one organ that is not near the colon or into the lining of the abdominal wall.