Colon Cancer: Symptoms, Stage, Risks, Treatment & Medicines

Colorectal cancer is a devastating health threat that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.   By spreading awareness, choosing early screenings, and living a healthier lifestyle, you can lower your risk and help save lives—your own included. As the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., it takes thousands of loved ones each year, leaving families shattered.

This post will discuss the risk factors and symptoms. We will cover medications for colon cancer. There will also be more information on the stages of the disease. 

Keep reading.

What Is Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer occurs when cells in the lining of the colon or rectum change and grow uncontrollably. These cells form tumors that invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). If untreated, the cancer can block the bowel or affect the digestive system, which absorbs nutrients from food.

Types of Colon Cancer

Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas, which develop from mucus-producing cells in the colon or rectum. Other, less common types include:

• Neuroendocrine Tumors: These tumors start in hormone-producing cells and can grow quickly or slowly.

• Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs): These tumors begin in special cells in the colon wall and can be aggressive.

• Lymphomas: These usually affect lymph nodes but can also start in the colon.

• Sarcomas: These tumors start in connective tissues like muscle and are rare in the colon.

Risk Factors for Colon Cancer

Certain factors can raise your risk of colon cancer:

• Age: The risk increases after age 50.

• Genetics: Conditions like Lynch syndrome or Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) can increase risk.

• Family History: A family history of colon cancer raises your risk.

• Diet: Diets high in red or processed meats may increase risk.

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis increase the chance of cancer.

• Obesity: Being overweight raises your risk.

• Smoking and Alcohol: Both habits contribute to a higher risk.

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer symptoms often don’t show up until the disease has progressed. Regular screenings remain essential. Be aware of these signs:

• Changes in Bowel Habits: Ongoing diarrhea, constipation, or changes in stool shape or color.

• Blood in the Stool: Bright red or dark stool can indicate bleeding.

• Unexplained Weight Loss: Losing weight without trying.

• Abdominal Pain: Persistent cramping or discomfort in the abdomen.

• Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired despite adequate rest.

• Iron-Deficiency Anemia: Low iron levels from blood loss can cause weakness and fatigue.

If these symptoms last for more than a few weeks, consult your doctor.

How Colon Cancer Is Diagnosed

Detecting colon cancer early usually involves several screening tests:

• Colonoscopy: A doctor uses a camera to check the entire colon for polyps or abnormal growths. They can remove any found for testing.

• Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): This test checks for hidden blood in the stool, a possible sign of cancer.

• CT Colonography: This is also known as a virtual colonoscopy and uses imaging to look at the colon.

• Biopsy: If a tumor appears, a small sample can confirm if it’s cancerous.

• CEA Blood Test: This test measures levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, which may be higher in colon cancer patients.

Stages of Colon Cancer

Staging tells how far the cancer has spread and helps guide treatment:

• Stage I: Cancer remains only in the inner lining of the colon.

• Stage II: Cancer grows through the wall of the colon but hasn’t reached the lymph nodes.

• Stage III: Cancer spreads to nearby lymph nodes but not distant organs.

• Stage IV: Cancer spreads to other parts of the body, like the liver or lungs.

Treatment for Colon Cancer

Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer but usually includes surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and sometimes immunotherapy.

• Surgery: Surgery is the primary treatment, often involving colectomy to remove the tumor and nearby tissue.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy kills or slows cancer cell growth, given after surgery to eliminate remaining cells or before surgery to shrink tumors.

• Targeted Therapy: This combination therapy targets specific genetic mutations to block growth signals, making chemotherapy more effective.

• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy boosts the immune response against cancer cells, especially for patients with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H).

Common Medications for Colon Cancer

Here are some common medications for colon cancer treatment. Keep in mind, there are other options too that your doctor might suggest. This is simply to give you an idea of how most medications work.

• Oxaliplatin: Doctors often use this drug with 5-FU (Fluorouracil) to damage cancer cell DNA and stop their growth.

• Gemcitabine: This drug interferes with DNA production to prevent cancer cells from multiplying.

• Cisplatin and Carboplatin: These platinum-based drugs damage DNA in cancer cells, stopping their division.

• Bevacizumab: This medication cuts off the tumor’s blood supply, slowing growth.

• Cetuximab: This drug blocks a protein called EGFR, which often becomes overactive in colon cancers.

• Pembrolizumab and Nivolumab: These immunotherapy drugs help the immune system fight cancer.

• Regorafenib: It is also the one of most commonly used chemotherapy drug for colon cancer. It is given to patients who have already been treated with other treatments.

Reducing the Risk of Colon Cancer

You can lower your risk of colon cancer by making lifestyle changes:

• Get Regular Screenings: Colonoscopies find polyps before they turn cancerous.

• Eat a Healthy Diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in red and processed meats, helps reduce risk.

• Exercise Regularly: Staying active keeps your body healthy and lowers cancer risk.

• Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Both habits raise your risk of colon cancer.

Conclusion

Colon cancer is a big health concern, but being informed helps. Learn the symptoms and keep up with screenings. If you see anything unusual, contact your doctor. Catching it early can lead to better treatment.