The colon is the end part of the digestive tract, it helps in excreting waste from the body. Healthy cells in the colon multiply vigorously to form a tumor. These tumors turn cancerous and cause colon cancer. There is no definite cause found for colon cancer, however, they are associated with several risk factors that lead to different stages and treatments for colon cancer. Certain precautionary measures can prevent the occurrence of colon cancer.
Symptoms During Different Stages of Colon Cancer
Symptoms for colon cancer at the early stages are not evident and are very mild. Colon cancer tends to occur more in older adults, hence a regular screening can help in identifying it at an early stage. The symptoms of colon cancer develop only at later stages. These symptoms differ depending on the size and location of the tumor. Some of the common symptoms related to different stages and treatment of colon cancer are
- Presence of dark blood in stools
- Passing thin stools is an indication of blockage in the colon due to a tumor or something else.
- Constant complaints of diarrhea or constipation. A doctor should be consulted if any of these problems persist for more than a week or two.
- Feeling tired or weak too often could be a sign of iron deficiency caused due to bleeding in the tumor.
- Pain and swelling in the abdomen can be caused due to blockage in the colon due to a tumor. This results in not clearing your bowels completely.
- An unexplained weight loss with no lifestyle changes could be alarming. A sudden weight loss of more than 10 pounds can be a serious sign of cancer.
- Feeling nausea and continuous vomiting is a result of a tumor present in the intestine, which interrupts the digestion process.
Treatment for Various Stages of Colon Cancer
There are different stages and treatments related to colon cancer. The treatment for colon cancer widely depends on the stage of colon cancer present. The other factors for patients treatment depend on their age, overall health and lifestyle habits. Here are the treatment options for colon cancer based on its stages.
- Stage 0
The easiest way to treat colon cancer at stage 0 is through surgery. Since the tumor growth lies within the inner lying of the colon a surgery called colonoscope can easily remove the tumor. - Stage I
At Stage I the tumor grows into the colon walls and the lymph nodes are not touched. Different surgery techniques are used to remove the tumor at this stage, based on the grade and location of the tumor. - Stage II
At this stage, cancer is grown beyond the colon walls affecting the nearby lymph nodes. Systematic surgery is performed to remove the tumor carefully. Depending upon the grade of cancer chemotherapy will be suggested to avoid risk in the future. - Stage III
The cancer is severe at this stage where cancer has begun to spread to nearby organs. Surgery is done to remove the cancerous tumor carefully and the patient is further treated with chemotherapy and radiation. - Stage IV
This is the last and final stage of cancer, where survival rates are low. Treatments can temporarily ease the problem. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, targeted therapy and chemotherapy.
