What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, starts in the colon or rectum, which is part of the large intestine. According to a colon cancer doctor in Kolkata, it usually begins as a small growth or polyp in the inner lining of your colon or the rectum, which over time, can turn cancerous and spread to other parts of the body.

As per the best oncologist in Kolkata, some people with colon cancer may not experience any symptoms at all, while others may experience one or more of the following :

1. Changes in bowel habits like diarrhoea, constipation, or in the consistency of stools that lasts for more than a few days. 2. Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, which may appear as bright red or dark red coloured. 3. Abdominal pain, cramping, or discomfort, which may be persistent or come and go. 4 . Unintended weight loss or loss of appetite. 5. Weakness or fatigue. 6. Iron-deficiency or anaemia may result in pale skin, weakness, and shortness of breath.

Some of the known risk factors for colon cancer include :

1. Age : The risk of colon cancer increases as you get older, with most cases occurring in people over the age of 50. 2. Family history : A family history of colon cancer or other types of cancer can increase your risk of developing colon cancer. 3. Inherited genetic mutations : Some inherited genetic mutations like Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), can increase the risk of colon cancer. 4. Personal history of colon polyps or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) : People who have had colon polyps or IBD, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, have an increased risk of developing colon cancer. 5. Radiation therapy : Radiation therapy to the abdomen or pelvis for other medical conditions (such as cancer), can also increase the risk of colon cancer.

A medical oncologist in Kolkata lists the different treatments for colon cancer:

1. Chemotherapy : It uses drugs to kill cancerous cells and is often used in combination with surgery for colon cancer. It can be given before or after surgery, depending on the stage of cancer. 2. Radiation therapy : It uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and is sometimes used in combination with chemotherapy for rectal cancer. It may also be used in cases where cancer has spread to other parts of your body. 3. Targeted therapy : Targeted therapy uses drugs that target specific proteins or molecules in cancer cells to block their growth and spread. This type of treatment may be used for advanced colon cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. 4. Immunotherapy : Immunotherapy uses drugs to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer cells. 5. Surgery : It is the most common treatment for colon cancer and involves removing the cancerous tissue from the colon or rectum. Based on the location and extent of cancer, the surgeon may perform a partial colectomy, in which a portion of the colon is removed, or a total colectomy, in which the entire colon is removed.