Warning signs and interventions for metastatic colon cancer
As the name implies, colon cancer is carcinoma of the colorectal region. A fairly common cancer, its treatment depends to a large extent on whether the cancer is in the preliminary stages or if it has proceeded to the advanced metastatic colon cancer stage, at which point treatment options are greatly limited.
The first apparent warning signs of a possible diagnosis of colon cancer include sudden unexplained changes in bowel patterns, both as diarrhea or constipation that last for several months, bleeding when passing stools, unexplained deficiency of hemoglobin, sudden and unexplained weight loss, vomiting, nausea and unexplained fatigue with no apparent exertion.
In the earlier stages, especially stage 0 and I, the cancer remains confined within the colon wall. Usually, at this stage, the removal of a polyp or a minor colectomy would be effective as treatment. In stage II, the cancer spreads beyond the colon into the adjoining tissues, but has not yet affected the lymph nodes. Depending on the progression, doctors may advise partial colectomy or chemotherapy. In the third stage, the cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, but has not yet metastasized into other parts of the body. Colectomy of the affected region, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy is the treatment modality that is conventionally recommended at this stage of colon cancer.