Colon cancer

Colon cancer is a malignant tumor in the large intestine. The most common symptom of colon cancer is bloody stool. This disease often starts with a benign tumor called a polyp.

Until now, the cause of colon cancer has not been clearly known. However, some things are thought to increase the risk of colon cancer, including not eating fiber, exercising, and smoking.

The sooner it is detected, the possibility of colon cancer healing will be even greater. As a result, people at risk for colon cancer are advised to see a doctor since the age of 45 years.
Causes of colon cancer

Colon cancer is caused by changes or mutations in genes in large intestinal tissue. However, the cause of this gene mutation is not known with certainty.

Although the cause is unknown, it is thought that many lifestyles increase the risk of developing colon cancer, including:

  • Low-fiber diet
  • Consume too much red meat and fat
  • Smoke
  • Consumption of alcoholic drinks
  • Rarely exercise
In addition, there are several conditions or diseases that make a person suffering from colon cancer, namely:

  • Above 50 years.
  • Have parents or siblings with colon cancer.
  • Suffered from intestinal polyps.
  • Overweight or obese
  • Suffering from diabetes.
  • Suffering from intestinal inflammation
  • Has undergone radiotherapy in the stomach.
  • Suffers from a genetic condition called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome.

Symptoms of colon cancer
Symptoms of early-stage bowel cancer sometimes do not feel or even manifest at all. However, some symptoms can occur during early stage colon cancer, namely:

  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • bloated
  • Cramps or abdominal pain
  • Changes in stool shape and color
  • Bloody chapter 
If you have entered an advanced stage, patients with colon cancer may experience symptoms such as:

  • fatigue
  • Often feel the chapter pooping
  • Changes in the form of feces that occur more than a month
  • Drastic weight loss

If colon cancer has spread to other parts of the body, symptoms may appear:

  • jaundice
  • Blurred vision
  • Swelling of the arms and legs
  • Headache
  • Broken bones
  • hard to breathe 
When to see a doctor

As previously stated, colon cancer sufferers may not experience symptoms at first. Therefore, from the age of 45, it is recommended to consult a doctor to assess your risk of developing colon cancer, as well as to carry out routine screening for colon cancer as recommended by your doctor.

You should also consult a doctor if you experience symptoms that may be symptoms of colon cancer, such as:

  • Have diarrhea or constipation repeatedly.
  • Experience changes in stool shape and color.
  • Often feel the chapter defecating.
  • Bloody chapter. 
Diagnosis of colon cancer

To find out if a patient has colon cancer, the doctor will ask the patient's symptoms. The doctor will also ask if the patient has a disease that can increase the risk of colon cancer and track the patient's medical history.

After that, the doctor will do a physical examination and additional examinations, such as:
endoscopy

Endoscopy is performed by a gastroenterologist to check the condition of the large intestine using a special tool in the form of a flexible tube with a camera at the end, which is inserted into the anus. Examination with this tool is called a colonoscopy.

In addition to the flexible hose, there is also an endoscope with a media capsule camera that must be swallowed by the patient to allow complete visualization of the digestive tract.
Intestinal biopsy

Biopsy is a microscopic examination of a sample of intestinal tissue to examine the presence or absence of malignant cells (cancer).

Biopsy can be done during a colonoscopy or during surgery to the stomach to remove a portion of the large intestine.

To find out how far the cancer has spread and to evaluate the function of other organs and the success of the treatment, the doctor will conduct an examination:

  • radiographs
X-rays are taken to see the state of the large intestine. For clearer results, patients will be asked to start by taking a special coloring solution.
  • the scanner
CT scan is done to examine in more detail the condition of the large intestine and the surrounding tissue.
  • Blood test
Blood tests can provide information about the function of various organs before the oncologist carries out treatments, such as blood cell count, liver function, and kidney function. The doctor can also do an examination called CEA to evaluate the response to treatment.
Doctors recommend that people at high risk of colon cancer be checked regularly for colon cancer. The goal is if cancer appears, it can be treated immediately.

Screening for colon cancer

Colon cancer screening is recommended for men and women aged 45 and over. Some recommended checks are:

  • Stool examination, every 1 year.
  • Colonoscopy every 10 years.
  • Scan your stomach every 5 years.

This examination can detect the presence of blood in the stool or polyps in the intestine which can turn into colon cancer. Discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of each exam.
Stage of colon cancer

On the basis of gravity, colon cancer is divided into several stages, namely:
  • Step 1
  At this stage, cancer only develops in the large intestine.
  • Step 2
   At this stage, the cancer has entered the colon wall.
  • Step 3
   At this point, the cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the large intestine.
  • Step 4
  This stage is the most serious stage of colon cancer, where the cancer has spread far away and   attacks other organs of the body, such as the lungs or liver.
The stage of colon cancer will be determined after the doctor examines the patient. Determining this step helps the doctor to plan the right treatment.

Treatment for colon cancer

Treatment for colon cancer is based on the stage or severity of the cancer. Some types of treatments for colon cancer are:
operation

Surgery is performed to remove cancerous tissue in the large intestine. The type of surgery performed depends on the severity and spread of the cancer.

In surgery, some large intestine that has cancer with some healthy tissue around will be cut and removed. After that, the base of the large intestine will be connected to the rest of the large intestine leading to the anus, or directly to an artificial hole in the abdominal wall as a saddle release. This hole is called a stoma and is done by colostomy surgery.

In addition to cutting the large intestine, surgery can also be done to remove lymph nodes swallowed by cancer.
chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a way to kill cancer cells by administering drugs in various cycles organized by oncologists. Oxaliplatin and Irinotecan are examples of drugs for colon cancer.
radiotherapy

Radiation therapy is used to kill cancer cells using radiation radiation. These rays can be emitted by devices located outside the body (external radiotherapy) or mounted near the cancer (internal radiotherapy).

Targeted drug therapy

Unlike chemotherapy which attacks cancer cells and healthy cells, this drug works by specifically killing cancer cells. Targeted drug therapy can be given alone or in combination with other treatment methods. Some drugs used include:

  • REGORAFENIB
  • cetuximab
  • bevacizumab
  • Ramucirumab

In general, patients with early colon cancer who are diagnosed with cancer have a higher cure rate than those who are diagnosed in the later stages.

Patients who recover from colon cancer are still at risk of developing cancer again. So that colon cancer does not recur, the doctor will schedule regular patient examinations.
Prevention of colon cancer

Colon cancer can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Ways you can reduce the risk of this disease are:

  • Exercise regularly.
  • Eat foods rich in fiber, like fruits.
  • Maintain ideal body weight.
  • Quit smoking.
  • Reduce or avoid alcoholic drinks.

In addition, for colon cancer to be detected as early as possible, screening must also be done. This examination method is highly recommended, especially for people with a history of colon cancer, as well as for people aged 50 and over.

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