Colon Cancer

Colon cancer starts in the large intestine. It typically develops in the form of polyps. Colon polyps are small clumps of cells that form on the lining of the colon. They start as harmless growths, but over time some can develop into colon cancer.

About Colon Cancer

  • Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in America.
  • Colon cancer is highly treatable when found early.
  • Colon cancer is one of the few digestive cancers with a preventive screening test.
  • More than 90% of people diagnosed with colon cancer are over the age of 50.

Risks Factors for Colon Cancer

Approximately 5 to 10% of people who get colon cancer have a specific mutation in their DNA that increases their risk of getting colon cancer. Our heredity cancer program can provide important information to you and your family so we can take steps early to identify cancer early, when it is most treatable, and plan your treatment.

Colon cancer can be associated with risk factors, including:

  • Age.
  • Colorectal polps.
  • Family history of colon cancer.
  • History of inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
  • Obesity.
  • Poor diet.
Man suffering from stomachache

Make an appointment

For more information, please contact your oncologist or the Cancer Care Center at (859) 301-4000.

Causes of Colon Cancer

The cause of colon cancer is unknown, but the risk of developing the disease is higher if you have any of the known risk factors.

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Symptoms of colon cancer include:

  • Abdominal pain.
  • Blood in the stool.
  • Changes in bowel habits.
  • Constipation.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Feeling bloated.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Unexplained fatigue.
  • Unexplained weight loss.

Diagnosing Colon Cancer

If your doctor suspects that you have colon cancer, they may run tests to determine the stage of cancer to develop the best treatment plan. These tests include:

  • Blood tests to check genetic makeup and blood markers.
  • Colonoscopy and biopsy.
  • CT scan.
  • PET/CT scan.
  • Genetic testing.
  • MRI.
  • Stool test.

At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we have an MRI test specifically for colon cancer. Our radiology team also has specialists dedicated to diagnosing colorectal cancer.

If you’ve been diagnosed with colon cancer, we can provide a second opinion and present treatment options.

Treating Colon Cancer

At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we believe in caring for you, not just treating your cancer. Our holistic approach means we combine cancer treatment with working to minimize side effects and help you manage them. Our goal is to make you as comfortable as possible while we use innovative approaches to treat your cancer.

Your treatment plan for colon cancer usually begins with surgery. We also have expertise in treating colon cancer that has spread to the liver. Depending on the stage of your cancer and whether it has spread, your treatment may include:

  • Surgery — A procedure to remove cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. We use minimally invasive and traditional surgical procedures, including robotic resections of the colon. We specialize in sphincter saving surgery, preserving the function of your sphincte.
  • Clinical trials — Innovative drug and genetic therapies used to treat colon cancers.
  • Immunotherapy — Medication therapy that stimulates your own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
  • Interventional radiation procedures — Nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedures to kill or shrink tumors. We use radiofrequency ablation and embolization to destroy small tumors without surgery and chemoembolization to deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to the tumor.
  • Radiation therapy — Therapy that uses high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells, including progressive radiation treatments such as proton-based stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).

  • Precision medicine — Medication therapy which uses your DNA to specifically target the cells that lead to cancer and stop cancer from forming and spreading.

  • Supportive care — Helping you coordinate appointments and treating the side effects from your cancer or cancer treatment.

Preventing Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is typically preventable with a healthy lifestyle and proper screening. Most colon cancers form from polyps that can be detected through a colonoscopy. Colonoscopies or other colorectal cancer screening recommendations are based on medical and family history. Colon cancer screenings start at age 45. If you have a family history, are at high risk, or develop symptoms, talk to your doctor about starting colon cancer screenings earlier.

Positive lifestyle choices can also lower your risk of colon cancer. Lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk include:

  • Avoid smoking — Smoking is linked to many cancers, including cancers of the colon.

  • Decrease alcohol consumption — Heavy alcohol use is associated with cancers of the colon.

  • Diet — A diet rich in fiber, fruits, green vegetables, and whole grains can lower your risk of digestive cancers, including colon cancer.

  • Exercise — Thirty minutes a day of exercise can decrease your risk of many cancers and help keep you at a healthy weight.

  • Maintain a healthy weight — Obesity is a risk factor in many cancers and increases your risk of colon cancer.

Your Cancer Care Team

Cancer Research Physicians

The team includes medical oncologists specializing in immunotherapy and precision medicine, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, thoracic surgeons, pain management specialists, genetic counselors, pathologists, nutritionists, pharmacists, nurses and support staff. They work together to create a treatment plan that’s just right for you.

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