Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine, also called the colon. Colon cancer begins as small clumps of cells called polyps, which can eventually evolve into colon cancer.
Because polyps may not present any symtpoms themselves, people with ulcerative colitis are recommended to have a colonoscopy every year or two. This allows for the gastroenterologist to examine the intestines with a camera, searching for active uclerative colitis and additional polyps that may have formed. Often, any polyps discovered will be removed and biopsied to test for cancer.
People affected by ulcerative colitis are at greater risk for colon cancer. The two main reasons for this are the increased risk of developing colon cancer after 8 to 10 years following the onset of the disease, and the area of colon affected. Colon cancer is a greater risk for people who suffer from complete ulcerative colitis, where the disease affects the entire colon.
Less than 10% of people diangosed with an IBD, including ulcerative colitis, actually develop colon cancer.
Symptoms of colon cancer present themselves in very similar fashion to those of ulcerative colitis. These can inlcude:
- Rectal bleeding
- Bloody stools
- Mucus in stools
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Weight Loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting (in severe cases)
- Loss of Appetite
- Fever
- Exhaustion or Lethargy
Colon Cancer Treatments
Colon cancer treatment usually requires some form of surgery. For colon cancer in the earliest stages, the disease may be isolated to a single polyp, in which case the polyps can be removed during a colonsocopy, if the cancer has not spread to the base.
Laparoscopic surgery may be necessary to remove larger polyps. In this form of surgery, small incisions are made in the abdominal wall, and small tube-like intstruments, armed with tiny cameras, are inserted to remove the polyps. It is common for surrounding lymph nodes to be removed and biopsied as well.
For colon cancer that has spread to the intenstinal wall, the affected section is often removed in a colectomy. This may remove part of the colon, or the entire colon itself. For precautionary measures, normal tissues and lymph nodes near the cancer may also be removed, to prevent further colon cancer growth.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
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