Colon cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). Such cancer is sometimes referred to as "colorectal cancer."
Other types of colon cancer such as lymphoma, carcinoid tumors, melanoma, and sarcomas are rare. In this article, use of the term "colon cancer" refers to colon carcinoma and not these rare types of colon cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. (However, early diagnosis often leads to a complete cure.)
There is no single cause for colon cancer. Nearly all colon cancers begin as non-cancerous (benign) polyps, which slowly develop into cancer.
You have a higher risk for colon cancer if you have:
Certain genetic syndromes also increase the risk of developing colon cancer.
What you eat may play a role in your risk of colon cancer. Colon cancer may be associated with a high-fat, low-fiber diet and red meat. However, some studies found that the risk does not drop if you switch to a high-fiber diet, so the cause of the link is not yet clear.
Smoking cigarettes is another risk factor for colorectal cancer.
Symptoms
Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. The following symptoms, however, may indicate colon cancer:
Abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen
Colonoscopy (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A colonoscopy is an internal examination of the colon(large intestine), using an instrument called a colonoscope.The colonoscope is a small camera attached to a flexible tube. Unlike sigmoidoscopy, which examines only the lower third of the colon,...Reviewer: Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/08/2008
Sigmoidoscopy (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Sigmoidoscopy is an internal examination of the lower large bowel(colon), using an instrument called a sigmoidoscope.During the test, you are positioned on your left side with your knees drawn up toward your chest. A gastroenterologist or surgeon ...Reviewer: Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/08/2008
Culture - colonic tissue (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A colonic tissue culture is a laboratory test to check for disease-causing bacteria, fungi, or viruses in a sample of tissue from the large intestine.The doctor removes a piece of tissue from your large intestine during a colonoscopy. For more inf...Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 11/02/2008
Colon cancer screening (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Colon cancer screening can detect polyps and early cancers. Such screening can detect changes that can be treated before symptoms develop. Reviewer: Stephen Grund, MD, Ph.D., Chief of Hematology/Oncology and Director of the George Bray Cancer Center at New Britain General Hospital, New Britain, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/24/2008
Colorectal polyps (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A colorectal polyp is a growth that sticks out of the lining of the colon or rectum.Polyps of the colon and rectum are usually benign. There may be single or many polyps, and they become more common as people age.Over time, certain types of polyps...Reviewer: Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/20/2008
Colon cancer - resources(Doctor-Reviewed information)
The following organizations are good resources for information on colon cancer: American Cancer Society - www.cancer.org; American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons - www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/colorectal_cancer; Colon Cancer Alliance - www.ccalliance.org; Cancer Care - www.cancercare.org; National Cancer Institute - www.cancer.gov. Reviewer: Jennifer K. Mannheim, CPNP, private practice, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/20/2008
Print
