07.21.07
Fight Against Colon Cancer
Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. Colon cancer is a very common cancer second only to lung cancer. Colorectal cancer also called is colon cancer and bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. Colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and women. Colorectal cancer causes 655,000 deaths worldwide per year. 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. Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Over time some of these polyps become cancerous. The colon is part of the body’s digestive system. The digestive system removes and processes nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water) from foods and helps pass waste material out of the body. The digestive system is made up of the esophagus, stomach, and the small and large intestines.
First 6 feet of the large intestine are called the large bowel or colon. The last 6 inches are the rectum and the anal canal. The anal canal ends at the anus (the opening of the large intestine to the outside of the body). Right sided, ascending colon tumors often present with fatigue, weakness, and anemia of iron deficiency of unknown origin. These lesions can grow quit large without causing any obstructive symptoms because stool in the ascending colon is relatively liquid and can continue to pass through even significantly narrowed lumens. Lesions of the ascending colon often project into the lumen and ulcerate, causing chronic blood loss resulting in symptoms of palpitations, possible angina pectoris, as well as fatigue. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in US women of Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, or Asian/Pacific Islander ancestry. Third most common cancer in white and African American women. Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
Colon cancer staging is an estimate of the amount of penetration of a particular cancer. Smokers are more likely to die of colorectal cancer than non-smokers. Heavy alcohol use may also increase the risk of colorectal cancer” (NCI). Diabetes-People with diabetes have up to a 40 percent increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Chemotherapy is also used to treat patients with stage IV colon cancer. Irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and 5-fluorouracil are the three most commonly used drugs. Laparoscopic-assisted colectomy is a minimally-invasive technique that can reduce the size of the incision, minimize the risk of infection, and reduce post-operative pain. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is being investigated as an adjuvant mixed with autologous tumor cells in immunotherapy for colorectal cancer. Avastin is used in conjunction with standard chemotherapy and in a clinical trial added an average of five months to the study participants’ survival time. Erbitux can be given on its own or in combination with the chemotherapy drug irinotecan (Camptosar).
Colon Cancer Treatment Tips
1. Chemotherapy medicines to kill cancer cells.
2. Surgery to remove cancer cells.
3. Radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tissue.
4. Irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and 5-fluorouracil are the three most commonly used drugs.
5. Laparoscopic-assisted colectomy is a minimally-invasive technique that can reduce the size of the incision, minimize the risk of infection, and reduce post-operative pain.
6. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is being investigated as an adjuvant mixed with autologous tumor cells in immunotherapy for colorectal cancer.
7. Avastin is used in conjunction with standard chemotherapy and in a clinical trial added an average of five months to the study participants’ survival time.
8. Erbitux can be given on its own or in combination with the chemotherapy drug irinotecan (Camptosar).