Cancer, colon: A malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer.
Colon polyps and early colon cancers cause no signs or symptoms. Full-blown colon cancer can cause occult (a microscopic amount of) blood in the stool, overt rectal bleeding, bowel obstruction, and weight loss.
Risk factors for colon cancer include a family history of it or of colonic polyps, and long standing ulcerative colitis. The overall risk can be reduced by following a diet low in fat and high in fiber.
Colon cancer is preventable and curable. It is preventable by removing the precancerous colon polyps. It is curable if detected early when it can be surgically removed before it has spread to other parts of the body. If screening and surveillance programs were practiced universally, there would be a tremendous reduction in the incidence and mortality of colon cancer.
Get the facts on colon cancer (colorectal cancer) causes, symptoms, diagnosis (colonoscopy), prevention, treatment, statistics, screening, stages, and survival rates.
One treatment option for people with colon cancer is surgery, followed by chemotherapy. This combination can be effective at managing, and in many cases completely curing ...
Colorectal Cancer Overview. Colon cancer and cancer of the rectum usually begin as a small polyp. While most colon polyps are benign, some do become cancerous.
Information about colon and rectal cancer treatment, prevention, genetics, causes, screening, statistics and other topics from the National Cancer Institute.
Colon cancer — Comprehensive overview covers signs, symptoms and treatment of colon and rectal cancers.