Cancer de colon and colon surgery
Summary: Risks of Colon Cancer in Women
and Men
Summary: Types of Colon Surgery
Available
Summary: Risks of Colon Cancer in Women
and Men
Colon cancer is cancer
of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Most
cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells
called adenomatous polyps. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last 6 inches of the
colon. Together, they’re often referred to as colorectal cancers.
Colorectal cancer is
the second most common cancer killer overall and third most common cause of
cancer-related death in the United States in both males and females. Who is at
risk for colorectal cancer. Women diagnosed with uterine or ovarian cancer
before age 50 are at increased risk of colorectal cancer. Woman with a personal
history of breast cancer have only a very slight increase in risk of colorectal
cancer. The average age to develop colorectal cancer is 70 years, and 93% of
cases occur in persons 50 years of age or older. You have a higher risk for
colon cancer if you have:
1.
Cancer elsewhere in the body.
2.
Colorectal polypsCrohn’s disease
3.
Family history of colon cancer
4.
Personal history of breast cancer
5.
Ulcerative colitis.
Symptoms of colorectal
cancer vary depending on the location of the cancer within the colon or rectum,
though there may be no symptoms at all. The most common presenting symptom of
colorectal cancer is rectal bleeding. Cancers arising from the left side of the
colon generally cause bleeding, or in their late stages may cause constipation,
abdominal pain, and obstructive symptoms. Other symptoms such as weakness,
weight loss, or anemia resulting from chronic blood loss may accompany cancer
of the right side of the colon.
The population
prevalence for meeting proposed physical activity criteria for colon cancer
prevention is low and much lower than that related to the more generic public
health recommendations. Colon cancer prevention is one of the most exciting
uses for calcium.
Summary: Types of Colon Surgery
Available
Before undergoing
colon surgery, the patient has to undergo a few tests to locate the cancerous
region. Besides used for treating colon cancer, surgery is also used for
treating patients suffering from diverticulosis. A low fiber diet and
medications like corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs lead to increased
chances of acquiring diverticulosis.
Open colon surgery
During open surgery, a
catheter is inserted into the bladder to gauge the patient’s urine output and
thus, ascertain the patient drinks sufficient water. The diseases portion of
the colon is then located after making an incision in the abdominal region.
After removing the
diseased part, the area is sutured or surgically stapled.
Laparoscopic colon
surgery
This is a new and
preferred form of surgery used because it leads to a faster healing of the
colon, so that the patient spend less time in the hospital. There is also less
pain after the surgery which is why patients can quickly resume their normal
activities.
During laparoscopic
surgery, the surgeon makes about four small incisions through which a
laparoscope is inserted into one of the incisions to view the region.