Alternative Names
Colorectal cancer; Cancer – colon; Rectal cancer; Cancer-rectum; Adenocarcinoma- colon; Colon -adenocarcinoma
Definition of Colon cancer
Colon, or colorectal, cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon).
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. However, early diagnosis often leads to a complete cure.
Symptoms
Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. The following symptoms, however, may indicate colon cancer:
Signs and tests
With proper screening, can be detected before symptoms develop, when it is most curable.
Treatment
Treatment depends partly on the stage of the cancer. In general, treatments may include:
Expectations (prognosis)
Colon cancer is, in many cases, a treatable disease if caught early.
Review
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. – 11/5/2009
