What is Colon (Intestinal) Cancer? Symptoms and Treatment

What is Colon (Intestinal) Cancer?

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. Colon cancer and rectal cancer are the two main types of bowel cancers. These cancers are often taken together as Colorectal Cancers because they have similar characteristics. 
Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer.  It is the third most common type of cancer in men and women today. In addition, it ranks third among the types of cancer that cause loss of life. When we look at the figures of the World Health Organization, it is seen that approximately 1 million 800 thousand people in the world are infected with this disease every year and approximately 900 thousand people die from this disease in the world. We reach the cancer-related and healthy figures in our country from the Ministry of Health data. 

What are the Colon (Intestinal) Symptoms? 

Colon cancer may not usually show obvious symptoms in the early stages, which causes the disease to progress insidiously. However, some people may also experience symptoms in the early stages. It is possible to list the symptoms that may be seen in the early stages as follows:

• Blood or bright red color in the stool: Bleeding in the colon or rectum can be a telltale sign of colon cancer. However, the blood color can sometimes be very dark or black, which may indicate bleeding from higher parts of the digestive tract.
• Constantly changing stool habits:  Sudden changes in stool habits, such as constipation, diarrhea, thin or pellet-shaped stools, can be one of the symptoms of colon cancer.
• Abdominal pain or discomfort:  Constant pain in the abdominal area, cramps, feeling of gas or bloating may be among the symptoms of colon cancer.
• Chronic fatigue or fatigue: Colon cancer can affect your body's ability to absorb nutrition and energy, causing you to feel constantly sluggish or fatigued.
• Sudden weight loss:  Sudden and unexplained weight loss may be a symptom of cancer types such as colon cancer.
• Lack of a feeling of complete evacuation of the bowel:  Lack of a feeling of complete evacuation during defecation may indicate a blockage or obstruction in the rectum.

Colon cancer usually begins with small, tumor-like growths known as polyps. These polyps usually start out benign (non-cancerous), but over time, some can become cancerous. 
Therefore, regular screening tests are important to detect and remove polyps early and prevent the development of colon cancer. However, since these symptoms may be symptoms of other digestive system diseases as well as colon cancer, it is important to consult a physician without wasting time when such symptoms are noticed. Especially for people over 50 or those with a family history of colon cancer. Screening tests such as colonoscopy can detect cancer at an early stage and increase the chance of treatment.

What Causes Colon (Intestinal) Cancer?

Although the exact cause of colon cancer is unknown, it is known that the combination of many factors such as genetic and environmental factors, as well as lifestyle habits, is effective in the emergence of the disease. 
For example, the risk of developing colon cancer during a person's lifetime is approximately 5 percent. However, if a first-degree relative has colon cancer, this rate can increase up to 12 percent. If two people have cancer, this rate triples and becomes around 35 percent. Although these are unchangeable factors, it is necessary to be aware of the situation and take precautions. 
However, it is known that lifestyle and nutritional habits are also important in the development of colon cancer. For example; In developed countries in Europe or North America, colon cancer is more common due to reasons such as higher obesity and fast food-based eating habits. Besides, it is much less common in African countries. This result is due to the fact that the people of the region consume more fibrous foods, grains and vegetables. It is also more common in people who prefer a sedentary life.

What are the Risk Factors for Colon (Intestinal) Cancer?

Both genetic and environmental factors are important in colon cancer. It is necessary to know that there are modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for colon cancer. For example, the risk of developing colon cancer increases with age and reaches up to 85 percent in older ages. However, some hereditary bowel cancers also pose a risk by genetic transmission. Therefore, factors like these are among the unchangeable risk factors. However, other than that, factors such as nutrition and lifestyle are among the modifiable risk factors for colon cancer. 
It is possible to list the risk factors for colon cancer as follows: 

Although the risk factors for colon cancer are known, it is thought that the disease occurs as a result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

• Age: Age is one of the most important risk factors for the development of colon cancer. The risk of developing cancer increases with age. Therefore, especially people over the age of 50 are at higher risk.
• Family History: The risk increases especially in people with a history of colon cancer in first-degree relatives such as mother, father, sibling, and children.
• Polyps: The presence of polyps both in the person himself and in his first-degree relatives is seen as a risk-increasing factor. Having polyps (small tumor-like growths) in the colon or rectum is important because some polyps tend to become cancerous over time. Therefore, early detection and removal of polyps is important in terms of colon cancer risk.
• Nutrition Habits:  Colon cancer is one of the cancers where nutrition is important. Habits such as a high-fat, low-fiber diet and heavy use of processed meat products can increase the risk of colon cancer. 
  However, it is possible to list the situations that pose a risk for colon cancer by threatening the health of the intestines and general body health as follows: 
   
• Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, especially long-term presence of ulcerative   colitis or Crohn's disease,
• Smoking,
• Alcohol consumption
• Overweight, obesity

How is Colon (Intestinal) Cancer Diagnosed?

Colon cancer diagnosis begins with a physician evaluation. In general, after taking the patient's history and clinical examination, if colon cancer is suspected, the diagnosis is confirmed with some laboratory and imaging methods and the next steps are taken. 
Colonoscopy is one of the most commonly used colon cancer screening and diagnostic tests. In this test, a flexible tube (colonoscope) is passed through the rectum and advanced through the colon. He or she can examine the tube with a camera to see the inner surface of the colon, identify polyps or cancerous areas, and take a biopsy if necessary.
When necessary, depending on the patient's condition, methods such as Rectoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy, Virtual Colonoscopy are used, and the samples taken from the patient are evaluated in the pathology laboratory and a definitive diagnosis is made. 
Afterwards, imaging methods are generally used to evaluate the disease and determine the disease stage. 
After the cancer diagnosis is confirmed, imaging methods such as Chest X-ray, Whole Abdominal Computed Tomography (CT), Ultrasonography (US), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Endorectal Ultrasonography (ERUS), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) are used to evaluate the disease and determine the disease stage.
It is performed simultaneously with complete blood count and biochemical tests to evaluate the course of the disease and its other effects on the body. CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) Test, this marker that increases in colon cancer, plays an important role in diagnosis and follow-up. 

What are the Stages of Colon (Intestinal) Cancer? 

Colon cancer stages show how far the disease has spread. Staging is important in determining which road map to follow during the treatment process. While colon cancer diagnosed in the early stages can be treated, cancers diagnosed in the advanced stages may be more difficult to treat. Colon cancer is classified into several different stages, and these stages are important in determining how far the cancer has spread and treatment options. The commonly used staging system of colon cancer is often referred to as follows:

1. Stage 0 (The earliest stage of cancer):Cancer is found only in the surface layer of the colon or rectum, so it is called "carcinoma insitu" or "early cancer". Cancer cells have not yet spread to the connective tissue or lymph nodes. 
2. Stage I (Localized cancer): Cancer has spread through the inner layer (mucosa) of the colon or rectum to deeper layers, but has not reached the surrounding tissue or lymph nodes. 
3. Stage II (Regional cancer):Cancer has spread to the deeper layers of the colon or rectum or adjacent tissues, but has not spread to the lymph nodes. 
4. Stage III (Cancer with regional lymph node spread):  Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, but has not spread to distant organs (such as the liver, lungs, brain). 
5. Stage IV (Distant metastatic cancer):Cancer has spread to organs other than the colon or rectum (such as the liver, lungs, brain). This stage is the most advanced stage of cancer.

How is Colon (Intestinal) Cancer Treated? 

The treatment plan for colon cancer is determined on an individual basis, depending on the patient's specific situation and the characteristics of the cancer. The treatment process continues within a multidisciplinary approach including oncologists, general surgeons, radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists and other specialists. 
In treatment, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy (radiation therapy) are determined and applied according to the condition of the patient and his disease. Often a combination of several different methods is used. 

Surgical Treatment in Colon (Intestinal) Cancer: 

One of the most commonly used methods in the treatment of colon cancer is surgical intervention. This involves removing cancerous tissue from the colon or rectum. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the cancerous area and some of the surrounding healthy tissue. Surgical intervention can be performed as laparoscopic (closed) or open surgery, depending on the stage and location of the cancer. In colon cancers, if there is no spread, no metastasis or organ spread, the first treatment for these patients is surgery. It is very important to remove the relevant large intestine as a whole, together with the lymph nodes where the disease may spread. Based on the subsequent pathological evaluation, the need for chemotherapy is determined in line with the joint decision taken with medical oncologists.

Chemotherapy Treatment in Colon (Intestinal) Cancer: 

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. Chemotherapy may be used before or after surgery or in cases where the cancer has spread (for example, when it has metastasized to lymph nodes or other organs).

Radiotherapy Treatment in Colon (Intestinal) Cancer: 

Radiotherapy is the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells or control their growth. It is frequently used in the treatment of colon cancer, especially rectum cancer. Radiotherapy can be used to shrink the cancerous area or control the cancer before surgery. However, since its use in moving organs is limited, it is not one of the frequently used methods in colon cancer.

Targeted Therapies in Colon (Intestinal) Cancer: 

In some types of colon cancer, certain drugs that target the growth of cancer cells can be used. These drugs work by attacking specific targets of cancer cells. Targeted treatment options are determined by the physician according to the patient's condition and the stage of the cancer.  

Immunotherapy in Colon (Intestinal) Cancer: 

In some cases, immunotherapy may be used to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer. This treatment includes medications that stimulate the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy in colon cancer can be used within the framework of the physician's treatment plan to prevent the possibility of recurrence of the disease after surgery.

Ways to Prevent Colon Cancer

In colon cancer, as in other cancers, some precautions can help reduce the risk, especially for modifiable risk factors. However, the main point to be considered for early diagnosis and treatment is regular health screenings. It is especially important for people in the risk group to have regular screening tests and lifestyle changes to protect themselves from colon cancer. 
To protect against colon cancer, lifestyle changes can be achieved with the following measures: 

Healthy Eating Habits Should Be Developed 

Healthy foods such as fiber-rich foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain products and low-fat protein sources should be preferred. In addition to a Mediterranean style diet, processed and packaged products should be avoided.

Healthy Eating Habits Should Be Developed 

Healthy foods such as fiber-rich foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain products and low-fat protein sources should be preferred. In addition to a Mediterranean style diet, processed and packaged products should be avoided.

Processed Meat and Red Meat Consumption Should Be Limited 

Processed meat products such as salami, sausage, ham and excessive consumption of red meat may increase the risk of colon cancer. It is important to limit these types of foods as much as possible.

Alcohol Consumption Should Be Limited 

It is known that excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of colon cancer. Especially in those who consume alcohol heavily and regularly, the liver and all organs, as well as the intestines, are negatively affected.

Cigarettes and Tobacco Products Should Not Be Used

Cigarette is a substance that negatively affects all body systems and has carcinogenic effects. Quitting smoking, which is defined as a risk factor for many cancers, especially lung cancer, is also important for colon cancer. 

Exercise should be done regularly 

Regular exercise is extremely important for both weight control and general body resistance. Applying an exercise program appropriate to the person's general condition and age provides serious protection against colon cancer, as well as many health problems.

Healthy Weight Should Be Maintained 

Obesity or excess weight is one of the factors that can increase the risk of colon cancer. Therefore, maintaining a healthy body weight or losing weight helps reduce the risk of colon cancer. 

Regular Scans Should Be Done

If you are over 50 or have a family history of colon cancer, it is important to have regular screening tests. Early diagnosis is vital in colon cancer.

Frequently Asked Questions