Cancer is one of the leading diseases that world medicine is working on today. New information is constantly coming about its causes, formation mechanism and treatments. The common conclusion from the research conducted to date is; It is the fact that with early diagnosis, the patient can be given a chance of survival.
As a result of both early diagnosis methods and increased awareness, it is possible to detect many cancers at an early stage and even achieve a full cure (recovery). Colon cancer is one of the leading cancers. To talk in detail about this important type of cancer and its treatment, which shows its leading symptoms about five years ago;
First of all, what is the difference between the colon and the rectum?
The colon and the rectum are approximately 1.5 meters apart. It is our large intestine structure, which is long and located in the inner part of the abdomen in an inverted U shape. While colon (large intestine) cancer treatment is performed with standard surgery up to a point, rectal cancer requires special experience and specialization. Their anatomical structures and treatment schemes are naturally very different from each other. These structures are often confused by people. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to know the difference between these two structures very well. Anatomically, the 15 cm section upwards from the anus is called the rectum and this structure is located inside the pelvis. The other part, outside the pelvis and into the abdomen, forms the colon, that is, the large intestine.
What symptoms does the disease manifest itself with?
The most common symptom is bleeding from the anus. However, although this is a common symptom of many problems related to the large intestine or anus, bleeding from the anus is the reason that brings people to the doctor. One of the most common symptoms in patients is changes in defecation habits. In other words, while the patient is constipated for a while, diarrhea may develop immediately afterwards. Or they may present with constant constipation or diarrhea. In addition, changes such as feeling like there is a constant need to defecate but not being able to defecate in the toilet may also be observed. It can also manifest itself with vague pain in the abdomen. Another important symptom is anemia, which occurs after middle age. This is an important sign, especially of right colon cancer.
What preliminary symptoms does colon cancer show before it occurs?
The most important symptom is the change in the large intestine, which we call polyp. First, a bulge occurs in the mucosa, which is the internal structure of the intestine, and then this structure grows and a polyp appears. Over time, the polyp grows and forms an elevation. As growth continues, decay, that is, cancer, begins at the top of the polyp. Again, over time, cancer spreads from top to bottom. Thus, this change in the inner skin begins to cause damage after a certain time. It takes approximately 4-5 years for polyps to start to become cancerous and spread.
Do all polyp formations become cancerous?
Polyps are not normally seen until the age of 50. It is seen in around 5-10 percent of the population after the age of 50. In autopsy examinations performed after the age of 70, the incidence rate increases to 20 percent. This means that polyp formation increases with age. However, not everyone who sees polyps will develop colon cancer. The rate of cancer formation varies depending on the size, shape and structure of the polyps. For example, while the cancer rate of polyps below 1 cm is very low, the cancer rate increases when their size exceeds 1 cm. As the polyp grows, the risk of cancer increases. However, there is one point that must be noted: Even if not all polyps become cancerous, they must be kept under control and a biopsy must be performed. Another important point is that if the polyps are removed before they become cancerous, the risk of colon cancer is eliminated.
How is the presence of polyps detected?
Diagnostic methods are both practical and provide accurate results. The most commonly used method is colonoscopy. Bleeding due to polyps may occur in some patients. However, bleeding is a dangerous situation in terms of cancer; It is an important indicator of increased risk.
Is colon cancer a preventable cancer?
Definitely yes. Nearly 85 percent of colon cancers can be prevented. However, there is a very important point that should not be forgotten; For this, early diagnosis is necessary. Colonoscopy is also the golden option for diagnosis.
Who is at risk of colon cancer? ?
Colon cancer is actually a cancer that can occur at any age. However, the risk increases after the age of 50. Although colorectal cancer can occur at any age, more than 70 percent of patients are over the age of 50. After this age, the risk doubles every 10 years. For this reason, people over the age of 50 are in the risk group. In addition, those with first-degree blood relatives who have colon cancer, a family history of polyposis, women with ovarian and uterine cancer, and those with ulcerative colitis for many years are in the risk group. For this reason, colonoscopic examinations of these people need to be performed earlier and at regular intervals. In addition, although it has not been fully proven in colon cancer, those who consume too much industrial food and are overweight are in the risk group.
Is colon cancer an aggressive cancer?
If a If we were to make a ranking, colon cancers among organ cancers; It has a much better prognosis than cancer types of organs such as lung, pancreas, stomach and liver. However, we must immediately point out that this is valid for those who are not in advanced stages and have not metastasized. The best way to detect it at an early stage is colonoscopy. As a clinical finding, cancers in the left colon present with signs of obstruction more quickly, while the right colon, due to its larger diameter, presents with conditions such as anemia and weakness, which we generally call anemia, rather than signs of obstruction. it turns out. For this reason, right colon tumors are diagnosed a little later. Due to this situation, in cases of anemia occurring in people of a certain age, colonoscopy and gastroscopy must be performed without delay. In this way, bleeding that develops insidiously in a possible colon or stomach tumor is detected early.
What is the treatment approach in colon cancer?
The treatment of colon cancer is performed by surgically removing that part of the colon. . In this surgery, all lymph nodes and attached surrounding organs, if any, must be extensively removed. Surgeries are performed open or laparoscopically, but better results are obtained with open surgery for right colon tumors. If the patient is obese, it may hinder the surgery. an aphrodisiac factor. Surgical complications are more common in these patients.
What should the patient pay attention to after the surgery?
Surgical improvement occurs 7-10 days after the surgery. If the patient has lymph node involvement, the patient is referred for chemotherapy within a month. Except for some cases, chemotherapy is not required in lymph node negative patients. Patients who undergo surgery must be followed up by the operating surgeon at 4-5 month intervals for the first two years, then every six months, and once a year for three years after the surgery.
Complete cure for colon cancer. Is it possible to provide?
Of course it is possible. If it is detected in the first and second stages, a complete cure rate of almost 100 percent is achieved.
What is the prevalence of colon cancer and why is it an important type of cancer?
Among organ cancers seen in both genders, colon and rectum cancers are second in frequency after lung cancer. is ranked. In terms of prevalence, although its occurrence and frequency are so common, the high recovery rates when caught early increase the importance of colon and rectum cancer. When we look at other organ cancers such as lung, breast and pancreas, we see that cancer begins directly and these organ tumors are diagnosed as 'cancer' even if they are detected early. However, although colon and rectum cancer is so common, the disease does not immediately start as cancer. Before being diagnosed with cancer, it manifests itself with precancerous formations (polyps). 85 out of 100 colon and rectum cancers start from these precursors and turn into cancer. Therefore, detecting and eliminating these precursors beforehand can prevent future colon and rectum cancer.
Polyps are not normally seen until the age of 50. It is seen in around 5-10 percent of the population after the age of 50. It is seen that the incidence rate increases to 20 percent in autopsy examinations performed after the age of 70.
What needs to be done for early diagnosis?
Although searching for occult blood in the stool is a diagnostic method. It provides 30 percent accuracy. Most of the time it is necessary to repeat it at least twice with an interval of 3-5 days. In addition, this test is used to reveal a cancer that has already formed, rather than early diagnosis. It makes it possible to diagnose the disease at a low rate.
Colonoscopic examination is essential for early diagnosis. As we mentioned above, this can also prevent cancer before it occurs. If there is a polyp in the patient's large intestine, it must be removed with a colonoscope. If it cannot be removed, a biopsy is performed on the polyps. If signs of cancer are detected in the pathology report, surgery is definitely required. In some cases, cancer may not be detected in superficial biopsies taken from large polyps. For this reason, the safest way is to surgically remove this part of the colon with large polyps, as there is a possibility that the polyp may carry a cancer focus in its inner parts. However, these people must undergo colonoscopic examination at regular intervals after surgery (every 1-2 years for the first few years).
For preventive purposes, a first colonoscopy after the age of 50 should be performed on a person who has no complaints. If nothing is detected during this check-up, a repeat colonoscopy should be performed five years later. However, it should not be forgotten that polyp formation will increase with age. People who have had colon cancer in their family should start checkups earlier. In these people, performing the first colonoscopy at the age of 40-45 and repeating it every three years becomes important in early diagnosis of the disease.
What should be done to protect from colon cancer?
It is very important that people do not hesitate to have a colonoscopic examination. If the person is over the age of 50 and shows the symptoms listed above, they need to have their first colonoscopy. Removing polyps detected during colonoscopy is the most important factor in preventing cancer.
Apart from this, as in many types of cancer, it is necessary to pay attention to the following factors;
1) Exercise: Exercising regularly, many It is one of the first things to do to protect against this type of cancer.
2) Lose weight: If you are overweight, try to lose this weight with nutrition programs and exercise. Because excess weight can pose a risk for colon cancer.
3) Quit smoking: Smoking alone poses a risk for many cancers. Since it may be a factor that increases the risk of colon cancer, if you smoke, you should definitely quit.
4) Excessive alcohol consumption
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