Cancer represents a group of multiple diseases that occur in different parts of the body. Colon is the end part of human digestive system where the solid waste is stored, the bottom part of colon is called rectum. Cancer occurring in the colon or rectum is called colorectal cancer.

Colon cancer is caused by cellular growth in the inner walls of large intestine. These growths could be mild plus severe. Mild growths are benign and these structures are called polyps which are not life threatening and could be treated with no difficulty but an aggressive growth in the intestinal wall is malignant or acute that leads to cancer. Benign cancer could be treated by minor Colonoscopy, however if neglected it continues to outgrow and becomes a bigger cancerous mass.

The cancer cells could migrate to other parts of the body where cell division is a continuous phenomenon namely, liver and lungs. Such cancer where oncogenic cells spread to other body part is called Metastasis. Treatment of metastatic cancer becomes complex. Colorectal cancer is often followed with a Metastasis. Hence, its detection at nascent stage becomes vital.

Possible Causes for Colorectal Cancer

The frequency of colon and rectum cancer is more common in American or western world people than in African or Asian People. High intake of fatty acids and cholesterol further increases the risk. It is believed that the assimilation of cholesterol and fatty acids lead to production of carcinogen. The most common reason of cancer in intestine remains an ignored or undetected polyp that continues to divide and grow into a tumor. People who have ulcers in their intestine are more susceptible to colon cancer and the chances further amplify if one has a history of Ulcerative Colitis.

Some Common Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Symptoms of colorectal cancer become evident at a later stage. This indication further differs with the portion where a tumor is present. The right side of the colon is broad and thus detection of any mass is difficult in the initial stage. A tumor in the right colon reduces the iron content in the blood resulting in anemia and fatigue. One might even feel short of breath as hemoglobin drops with low iron in blood. Conversely, cancerous outgrowth in left colon affects the digestion and is encountered with upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. Appearance of blood in stool signals occurrence of cancer in the end of left colon or rectum.

Diagnosis of Colon and Rectum Cancer

Colorectal cancer is detected through:

1. Barium enema X-Ray: The person is given enema with a white chalk like liquid Barium that outlines the inner walls of intestine which could be further studied during X ray

2. Colonoscopy: In this case doctors insert a viewing tube inside the rectum to take the inside pictures of colon or rectum

Treatment for Colon and Rectum Cancer

Surgery is the bastion of colon cancer, during surgery the tumor portion is cut, and the healthy portion of the bowel is appended to the rectum or the next lymph node. On the contrary, when tumor is experienced in the rectum, the complete area is dissected. The doctor then puts an opening called Colostomy at the abdominal wall through which a patient could pass solid waste. Patients who get Colostomies regain a normal lifestyle after some nursing and practice. Many people opt for surgical treatment for colon cancer.

Chemotherapy is generally given at the doctor’s office or in the Outpatient Department. It is introduced in the patient’s body by an intravenous infusion. A colorectal cancer patient could be administered 5 Fluorouracil or Cetuximab Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy medication kills or inhibits cancer cells to multiply further. Chemotherapy is the most preferred treatment for colorectal cancer. It however does not distinguish between a cancerous cell and a normal cell and destroys them equally. This interferes with the normal body functions and the patient experiences some irregularities during chemo treatment. Despite this, modern chemotherapeutic chemicals have high tolerance level and side effects subside after the dosage of drug.

Radiation therapy is instrumental in treating rectum cancer without radiation treatment the chances of recurrence of rectum cancer is 50%. Other treatment method includes localized administration of chemotherapeutic drug in the blood of liver that has severe chances of metastasis. Success rates are high in such methods.