Department of Surgery
Highland Hospital Surgery
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Highland Hospital Surgeons
Who Treat Colon Cancer
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Conditions We Treat
Colon Cancer
What is Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is a cancer which occurs on the
lining of the large intestine (also called the bowel or colon).
Symptoms of Colon Cancer
Most cases of colon cancer have no symptoms, but any of the
following symptoms may indicate colon cancer
- diarrhea, constipation, or a change in bowel habits that
does not go away
- blood in the stool
- anemia with no known reason
- abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen
- intestinal obstruction
- weight loss for no known reason
- stools narrower than usual
Stage 0 colon
cancer may be treated by simply
cutting out the lesion (this is normally
done as soon as it is discovered
- during a colonoscopy exam). In some cases
of stage 0
colon cancer, more extensive
surgery
may be needed - similar to the treatment
for stages 1, 2, and 3 colon cancer.
Stages 1, 2 and 3 colon cancer usually
require the removal
of the section of colon with
the
tumor
and
reattachment
of
the
ends
of
the
healthy
portion.
This
procedure
only
rarely
requires a colostomy.
Stage 3 colon cancer almost always
will be treated with chemotherapy after surgery. An
oncologist will determine the best treatment for each individual
case.
Stage 4 colon cancer will usually be treated
with chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, lengthen life, and improve
the
quality of life.
