Colon Cancer

What’s colon cancer?

Colon cancer is the development of cancerous cells in the colon, or large intestine, situated at the end of the digestive tract. This type of cancer generally starts out as small, noncancerous cell clumps known as polyps.

In some cases, these polyps can become cancerous, possibly due to DNA mutations or a previous history of cancer. You might also be at increased risk of colon cancer if close members of your family have had it.

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

When polyps first develop in the colon, you probably have no symptoms. As the cells become cancerous and the cancer progresses, you can begin noticing symptoms like:

• Chronic fatigue
• Rectal bleeding
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent abdominal discomfort
• Anemia
• Cramps
• Change in bowel habits
• Change in shape or caliber of stool

You might also notice a significant change in your bowel habits, experiencing chronic diarrhea or constipation and changes in the appearance of your stool.

Because colon cancer doesn’t always present with any symptoms, the medical team at Progressive Surgical Care recommends routine colon screenings to identify cancerous cells as early as possible, even if you don’t have symptoms.

How can colon cancer be diagnosed?

If you experience any changes in your bowel habits or other potential signs of colon cancer, don’t delay getting an evaluation. The medical team at Progressive Surgical Care offers on-site colonoscopies to diagnose symptoms.

This procedure involves the insertion of a thin tube with a small camera into the digestive tract. The camera transmits real-time images of the inside of your colon, helping the physician to identify any polyps present. During the test, your Progressive Surgical Care surgeon can remove the entire polyp or a sample of cells for further analysis at a medical lab. Sometimes the entire tumor can be removed in the office.

What colon cancer treatments are available?

Treatment of colon cancer depends on how far the cancer has progressed and your medical history. Typically, the Progressive Surgical Care physicians recommend the removal of cancerous polyps. In some cases, chemotherapy will be necessary.

The surgeons at Progressive Surgical Care offer minimally invasive surgery, including laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery, to remove polyps without causing unnecessary trauma to the body.

In advanced colon cancer, you’ll probably need more complex surgery to remove part of your colon. This can still be done laparoscopically or robotically. The team at Progressive Surgical Care has performed probably the most minimal invasive colon resections in Long Island. The skilled surgeons can reconnect the healthy parts of your colon to restore normal bowel function and avoid a colostomy (bag)

If you have rectal bleeding or other symptoms that could indicate colon cancer, schedule a diagnostic appointment as soon as possible. You can book a preventive colonoscopy online or by phone today.