What is colon cancer?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Pain in the abdomen can be caused by a number of illnesses including colon cancer, defined by tumors of the large intestines. When tumors invading the colon wall grow and expand, it can block off the thoroughfare that carries solid waste away. This is why people with colon cancer experience changes in bowel performance. Screening colonoscopy can visualize precancerous polyps that occupy the colon and doctors can remove them before they advance to cancer. The Colon Cancer Tipoff: Abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, blood in stool, rectal bleeding and difficulty passing stool, change in stool consistency and weight loss can be a sign of colon cancer.Pain in the abdomen can be caused by a number of illnesses including colon cancer, defined by tumors of the large intestines. When tumors invading the colon wall grow and expand, it can block off the thoroughfare that carries solid waste away. This... More -
Colon cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the large intestine, which is also known as the colon. If the cancer is located at the end of the colon, it is known as rectal cancer. Since both colon and rectal cancer occur within the large intestine, they are commonly known as colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States and causes the second-highest number of cancer deaths.
Colon cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the large intestine, which is also known as the colon. If the cancer is located at the end of the colon, it is known as rectal cancer. Since both colon and rectal cancer occur within the large... More -
Colon cancer refers to cancer that starts in the large intestine. It can affect both men and women of all ethnic backgrounds and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Fortunately, it is generally a slow-growing cancer that can be cured if detected early. Most colon cancers develop from colon polyps over a period of several years. Therefore, removing colon polyps reduces the risk for colon cancer. Anal cancer is less common but curable when diagnosed early.
Colon cancer refers to cancer that starts in the large intestine. It can affect both men and women of all ethnic backgrounds and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Fortunately, it is generally a... More -
Dr. Daniel Labow of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:Colon cancer typically starts off as a small polyp in the colon. In this video, Daniel Labow, MD, an oncology surgeon at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, explains how over time the polyp can grow into a malignant tumor.
Colon cancer typically starts off as a small polyp in the colon. In this video, Daniel Labow, MD, an oncology surgeon at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, explains how over time the polyp can grow into a malignant tumor. More -
- The colon and rectum are part of the digestive tract. They comprise the large intestine, or large bowel, which is located in the abdomen between the small intestine and the anus.
- Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), which is the lower part of the digestive system. Rectal cancer occurs on the last eight to ten inches of the colon. They are often referred to together as colorectal cancers, and are the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
- The incidence is slightly higher in men than women, and is highest in African American men. The incidence of colorectal cancer is highest in developed countries such as the United States and Japan, and lowest in developing countries such as Africa and Asia. Ashkenazi Jewish individuals have a higher incidence of a specific genetic mutation (called I1307K) that increases the risk for colorectal cancer.
- Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas (cancer in the glands or secretory cells) that develop when a change occurs in cells that line the wall of the colon or rectum. The disease often begins as an intestinal polyp, also called an adenoma, which is an abnormal growth of tissue. Polyps can gradually become precancerous and then cancerous.
- The American Cancer Society's estimated number of new cases from colon and rectal cancer in the United States in 2012 are as follows: new cases: 103,170 (colon); 40,290 (rectal).
The colon and rectum are part of the digestive tract. They comprise the large intestine, or large bowel, which is located in the abdomen between the small intestine and the anus. Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), which is the... More
