Close

Create a link to this page

Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:

<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-colonca.html" title="Facts and informations about colon cancer">colon cancer</a>

colon cancer

colon cancer cancer of any part of the colon (often called the large intestine ). Colon cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. Epidemiological evidence has shown that a diet high in fat and low in fruits, vegetables, and fiber contributes to the development of the disease. Smoking is also a factor in some types of colon cancer. Statistically, a family history of colon cancer or cancer of the female reproductive organs, a history of colon polyps, or a history of ulcerative colitis puts one at a greater risk of developing colon cancer. Colon cancer is most common in people over age 50.

Several genes that signal a hereditary predisposition to colon cancer have been identified. For example, mutations in either of two genes, MSH2 and MLH1, can predispose a person to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). People in HNPCC families can undergo blood tests that can tell them whether they have an affected gene. With the information obtained from such screening, an appropriate course of preventive measures and follow-up tests can be initiated (see genetic screening ).

Diagnosis

A sudden change in bowel habits or blood in the feces (often detectable only in a laboratory) may be the first symptoms of colon cancer. In the early stages of the disease there may be no obvious symptoms. Diagnosis is made by physical examination of the rectum and a laboratory examination of blood for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a tumor marker produced by colon cancers. These may be followed by an endoscopic examination of the colon with a sigmoidoscope (to examine the rectum and the adjoining sigmoid colon) or colonoscope (to examine the entire colon). A biopsy of any suspicious tissue, such as a polyp or a flat or depressed lesion, is then examined in a laboratory to determine if cancerous changes are present. If cancer is found, the patient is evaluated to determine the extent of the primary tumor and whether the disease has spread throughout the body.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the stage of the cancer. The initial treatment is usually local excision of the tumor or excision of a larger part of the colon followed by the joining of the two adjacent ends, a procedure referred to as end-to-end anastomosis. In some cases a colostomy (an opening that allows waste to be expelled through an opening in the abdomen rather than through the anus) is created either temporarily, to allow healing, or permanently, if significant portions of the colon have had to be removed. If the disease is advanced, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or biological therapies (therapies that stimulate the body's own immune defenses against the disease) may be used in addition to surgery.

Bibliography

See publications of the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the United Ostomy Association.

Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research

(Including press releases, facts, information, and biographies)

	Katie Couric confronts colon cancer.(excerpts of an interview with Ms. Couric)(Interview)(Excerpt) Newspaper article from: Medical Update; 12/1/2003; 408 words ; ...had learned about colon cancer in the hope of...people about this disease, so they'll talk...people who had had colon cancer or precancerous...history play in the disease? A: One important...to 20 percent of colon cancer cases involve people...family ties to the ... Read more
	Colon Cancer: The Need for Early Screening. Newspaper article from: Medical Update; 1/1/1999; ; 700+ words ; ...were screened for colon cancer, experts estimate...deaths from the disease--the second most...history of the disease, that puts you...of getting the disease. Other factors predisposing one to colon cancer include too much...published studies on colon cancer. One ... Read more
	Colon cancer. (Health Hot Line).(Brief Article) Magazine article from: Ebony; 7/1/2002; 398 words ; ...dying from the disease is markedly greater...early stages, colon cancer doesn't present...personal history of colon cancer or any other colon disease, and get little...screened for colon cancer and that if the disease is found, it... Read more
	Vegetarians and colon cancer.(Scientific update: a review of recent scientific papers related to vegetarian)(Brief Article) Magazine article from: Vegetarian Journal; 5/1/2004; ; 179 words ; Colon cancer is the third most lethal cancer in the United States...as the most important risk factor for developing colon cancer. Are vegetarians at lower risk for developing colon cancer? A study of Seventh-day Adventists found that colon... Read more
	Hereditary colon cancer.(familial adenomatous polyposis progression to colon cancer) Magazine article from: The Exceptional Parent; 12/1/2001; ; 700+ words ; ...rare inherited disease called familial...which can result in colon cancer at an extremely...family to have this disease. it was not until...family of chronic diseases, or the life-long...the Hereditary Colon Cancer Association (HCCA...hereditary non-polyposis colon ... Read more
	New therapy for colon cancer. Magazine article from: FDA Consumer; 9/1/1990; 437 words ; New Therapy for Colon Cancer A combination drug therapy to treat some cases of advanced, postoperative colon cancer has been approved by FDA. Levamisole...have undergone surgery for stage III colon cancer. This type of cancer, also called... Read more
	Ten-year study confirms role of polyps in colon cancer. Newspaper article from: Medical Update; 2/1/1994; 265 words ; Colon cancer, the second highest cause of cancer...when found. One of the mainstays of colon cancer prevention, therefore, has been the...removal of polyps from the colon decreases colon cancer risk. For the past ten years, the Sloan-Ketteri... Read more
	Colon Cancer Marker.(frequent constipation)(Brief Article) Newspaper article from: Women's Health Letter; 8/1/2000; 191 words ; ...frequent constipation can be a marker for colon cancer In a study of over 800 people, half of whom had colon cancer, it was found that those who were chronically...constipated had a higher risk for getting colon cancer For people who were constipated more... Read more
	Vitamins & Colon Cancer. Newspaper article from: Nutrition Action Healthletter; 12/1/1998; ; 180 words ; ...birth defects and heart disease may also cut the risk of colon cancer, say researchers at the...had been diagnosed with colon cancer. Those who had been taking...one-quarter the risk of colon cancer of those who didn't take... Read more
	A Critical Look At colon Cancer Testing. Newspaper article from: HealthFacts; 11/1/1998; ; 700+ words ; The recent colon cancer diagnosis of baseball...attention given this disease. The media reports...that many cases of colon cancer can be attributed to...the hope of finding a disease at an early, more curable...is not the case with colon cancer. There are major ... Read more

For more facts and information, see all related premium articles

Related entries from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses

	Colon Cancer Encyclopedia entry from: Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer Colon cancer Definition Cancer of the colon is the...become very important in the treatment of colon cancer. The small intestine is the continuation...Demographics There are about 94, 000 cases of colon cancer diagnosed per year in the United States... Read more
	Colorectal Cancer Encyclopedia entry from: Complete Human Diseases and Conditions Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer (colon cancer) is a dangerous growth that starts in the...Surprisingly, the cause turned out to be colon cancer. Many people think of colon cancer as a disease that affects only older people... Read more
	Gastrointestinal Cancers Encyclopedia entry from: Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer ...cancers include cancer of the esophagus...small intestine, colon, rectum, and anus as well as cancers of the liver, pancreas...occurring in the colon and rectum (colorectal cancers). The next sites...afterwards into the colon (first part of the large intestine). In ... Read more
	Cancer Prevention Encyclopedia entry from: Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer ...mastectomy to reduce risk for breast cancer, and colon polyp removal in individuals at high risk for the development of colon cancer . In 1999 the American Cancer Society...strong role in protecting against colon cancer include green Read more
	Cancer Book article from: American Decades ...1.1 million new cases of cancer were reported in the United States. Cancer of the lung ranked first...occurrences, followed by cancer of the colon. Researchers found that...the development of colon cancer. Another blood test, the... Read more

See all related entries