One of the most serious diseases that the general surgery outpatient clinic of our hospital deals with is colon cancer.

What Is Colon Cancer?

This disease, also known as bowel cancer, is cancers that occur on the inner surface of the large intestine. It is formed by the transformation of tumors originating from the colon mucosa into adenomas over time and as age progresses, and adenomas into polyps. It can spread to nearby organs, lymph nodes, liver and lungs.
Cancer genetics, alcohol use, smoking, unhealthy life, advanced age, inflammatory bowel diseases can be caused by fatty and meat-based nutrition and polyps are known as the most important causes. Polyps usually begin to show symptoms in the late period, when they begin to become cancerous. That's why regular checkups for colon cancer are important.

At the same time, colitis and Crohn's disease can progress to cancer. The incidence in men is higher than in women.

What Are The Symptoms of Colon Cancer?

Although colon cancer usually does not cause symptoms in the first place, it may be symptoms such as changes in stool, changes in toilet habits, fatigue, shortness of breath, constant diarrhea or constant constipation, anemia due to iron deficiency, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss and blood coming from the anus.

Diagnosis of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is a disease that can extend to stage 4, and as with all diseases, early diagnosis is important. First of all, when the diagnosis of polyp is necessary, polyp is diagnosed by colonoscopy, stool test, enema methods. For the diagnosis of colon cancer, colonoscopy, computed tomography and blood care methods in stool are also used.

Colon Cancer Treatment

Part of the treatment of colon cancer can also be polyp removal, if possible. Polyp removal as early treatment also plays a major role in preventing cancer. Polyp treatment is also determined according to the condition and severity of the polyp by colonoscopy method, polypectomy, that is, by fluid injection to isolate the polyp and complete removal of the colon rectum.

Part of the treatment of colon cancer can also be polyp removal, if possible. Surgery is determined according to the general condition of the patient and the tumor, and chemotherapy drugs can be used. Chemotherapy is usually administered after surgical removal of the tumor.

This situation may also change with radiotherapy. In case of metastasis, that is, the spread of cancer to other organs, the life of the individual can be tried to be extended with drug treatment.

After our general surgeon diagnoses the disease with diagnostic methods, he will determine the most appropriate treatment method for you, arrange your treatment and help you.