A common type of cancer among the people in the country, colon cancer occurs when there are malignant and cancerous growths in the large intestine. The colon has a vital function in our bodies as it is where the body separates water and salt from the solid wastes. The waste then surpasses through the rectum and exits our body through the anus. Initially, no symptoms may be observed in the first two stages of colon cancer, but as the intensity of the condition escalates, symptoms start to appear. Some of these symptoms include constipation or diarrhea, rectal bleeding, pain during bowel movements, abdominal pain, weight loss, blood in the stool, anemia, and weakness, among others.
1. Types of colon cancer
Depending on the type of cell they originate from, there are different types of colon cancer. The oncologist diagnoses the type and the stages of colon cancer according to the pathologist’s report of the tests conducted on the patient.
The common types of colon cancer are mentioned below:
Due to certain mutations in the genes, some individuals develop colon cancer that has been passed genetically. This form of colon cancer called hereditary colon cancer.
Some rare varieties of colon cancer are as follows:
Though there are no specific causes of colon cancer, certain factors like genetics and diet increase the risk of developing it. People who have family members suffering from the condition are at high risk of getting the disease. As its symptoms aren’t obvious from the get-go, a person can get diagnosed at any of the stages of colon cancer.
2. Stages of colon cancer
The various stages of colon cancer are mentioned below.
This is the initial stage wherein cancer has not grown any further than the inner layer of the colon.
In this stage, cancer has grown into the next layer of tissue.
In stage 2, the cancer has reached the outer layers of the colon, but it has not spread beyond that.
In this stage, cancer has not spread to distant body parts, but it has grown through the outer layers of the colon and it has reached the lymph nodes.
In stage 4 of colon cancer, it has spread from the colon to the further parts of the body, reaching other tissues beyond the wall of the colon.
There is a possibility that cancer spreads to another location in the body from the colon. In such cases, it is said that cancer has metastasized and additional symptoms begin to appear.
Palliative care is an important aspect while treating patients at the last stages of colon cancer, namely the third and fourth. This aspect focuses on the management of symptoms of colon cancer in the patient along with improvement in the quality of life. It should be noted that this is done along with the treatment going on.