Information about Colon Cancer and its Symptoms

Cancer of the colon or rectum usually is a very slow growing form of cancer and may not cause symptoms for some time. The symptoms associated or experienced with colon cancer will depend greatly on the type and extent of the cancer and its exact location.

Some of the main symptoms of colan cancer include; weakness, exhaustion and fatigue commonly result from anemia which is due to bleeding from the back passage. Most, but not all, colon cancers cause bleeding, but the blood streaked within the stools makes it difficult to detect without microscopic examination by a trained expert. This form of bleeding is known as occult bleeding, it is extremely hard to see with the naked eye.

Symptoms also are effected by on which side of the colon the cancer strikes:

-Tumors in the left descending colon can cause an obstruction at an early stages.

- Cancer that encircle a section of the colon can produce alternative symptoms
such as frequent bowel motions and constipation.

- Tumors on the right side of the colon, which is larger and wider, typically cause
obstruction late in the course of the illness.

Other symptoms include abdominal cramps, faecel urgency, a sensation of incomplete emptying of a bowel movement, weight loss and extreme pain whilst passing stools. If you have any of the above symptoms it is imperitive that you get checked out by a physicial immediately.

As previously stated, cancer of the colon can be very slow growing and it is a matter of urgenty to go and see your Doctor and commence treatment immediately.

The type of surgical treatment performed for cancer of the colon will depent entirely on the site of the tumor. Most will involve the removal of the cancerous section of the intestine followed by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. In some cases, the remaining ends of the intestine are joined together.

However, where the cancer involves the lower part of the colon and rectum, these will be removed and a colostomy performed. A colostomy is the name given to the procedure where the cancerous section of the colon is removed and the healthy end connected to the large intestine is joined to a surgically created opening in the abdominal wall. The contents of the intestine then empties through this opening into a disposable bag.