COLON CANCER
OVERVIEW
It is the cancer of the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon).
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms are:
- Change in your bowel habits
- Blood in your stool
- Persistent cramps, gas or pain
- Weakness or fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
Causes
Though the exact cause of Colon Cancer is unclear, following factors increase the risk:
- Personal history of colorectal cancer
- Inflammatory intestinal conditions
- Family history of colon cancer
- African-American race
- Older age
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Consuming alcohol
Treatments
If the cancer is smaller in size, doctors may suggest a minimally invasive approach to surgery, including removing polyps during a colonoscopy and endoscopic mucosal resection. Further, partial colectomy, lymph node removal and surgery to make way for bodily waste are suggested for invasive colon cancer. Doctors also employ chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted drug and radiation therapy for better results.
Further, the team of surgeons at Shekhar Hospital specializes in the following:
- Laparoscopic surgeries
- Upper and lower (colonoscopy) gastrointestinal endoscopy
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) for treating common bile duct problems
