Colon cancer begins in the colon (large intestine), the lengthy tube that helps digest food to the rectum and out of the body. Colon cancer develops from polyps or growths in the colon’s inner lining. Healthcare providers have screening tests that detect precancerous polyps before they can develop into cancerous tumors. Colon cancer that is not discovered or treated might spread to other parts of your body. Screening diagnostics, early therapy, and new types of treatment are reducing the number of people dying from colon cancer.
Symptoms of Colon Cancer:
- Blood on or in your stool
- Consistent changes in your bowel habits
- Bloated stomach
- Unexplained weight loss
- Vomiting
- Fatigue with shortness of breath
Types of Colon Cancer
1. Adenocarcinoma: The great majority of colon cancer is adenocarcinoma. This is a cancer of the cells that line the inside of the colon.
2. Carcinoid Tumors: Carcinoid tumors originate in hormone-producing cells in the intestines.
3. Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are a form of soft tissue sarcoma that can occur anywhere throughout the gastrointestinal tract but is uncommon in the colon. These tumors may also be different types of sarcoma that begin in the blood vessels or connective tissue of the colon.
4. Lymphoma: Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system. It most usually starts in the lymph nodes but can also start in the colon.
5. Hereditary Colon Cancer: About 5 to 10 percent of people get colorectal cancer as a result of gene mutations handed down from parents to children, which is known as hereditary. MSK’s colon cancer experts may recommend genetic testing to see whether you have hereditary mutations in your genes that can raise your cancer risk. Your risk assessment will determine whether or not you should get this testing.
Treatment for Colon Cancer In India
- Polypectomy: This process removes cancerous polyps.
- Partial colectomy: This is also known as colon resection surgery. Surgeons remove the tumor-containing part of your colon as well as some healthy tissue around it. They will rejoin healthy colon sections using a process known as anastomosis.
- Surgical resection with colostomy: Similar to a colectomy, surgeons remove the part of your colon that contains the tumor. However, with this surgery, healthy colon portions cannot be connected. Instead, they do a colostomy. A colostomy involves moving your bowel to a hole in your abdominal wall and collecting your poop in a bag.
- Radiofrequency ablation: This therapy utilizes heat to kill cancer cells.
Healthcare providers could combine surgery and adjuvant therapy. This is cancer treatment performed before or after surgery. They might use these treatments if colon cancer has spread or returned. Treatments can include:
- Chemotherapy: To decrease tumors and reduce symptoms of colon cancer, healthcare providers may use chemotherapy medications.
- Targeted therapy: This treatment targets the genes, proteins, and tissues that allow colon cancer cells to expand and multiply. Monoclonal antibody therapy is a common type of targeted therapy used by medical providers.
Colon Cancer Treatment in India: Best Surgical Outcomes
If you or someone you know is facing colon cancer, or have an early diagnosis of colon cancer, then timely treatment can make a significant difference in outcomes. India’s healthcare system offers advanced treatment options for colon cancer treatment in India at affordable rates, with personalized care that can give patients a fighting chance.
Whether it’s stage 4 colon cancer or early-stage colon cancer, there is hope and advanced treatment available in India and MedSearch Zambia will help to manage the disease and improve quality of life.
