Cancer, colon
Cancer, colon: A malignant tumor arising from the inner wall of the large intestine (the colon). In the US, colon cancer is the third leading type of cancer in males and the fourth in females. Risk factors for cancer of the colon and rectum (colorectal cancer) include colon polyps, long-standing ulcerative colitis, and genetic family history. Most colorectal cancers develop from polyps. Removal of colon polyps can prevent colorectal cancer. Colon polyps and early colon cancer can have no symptoms. Therefore, regular screening is important, starting at age 50 (or earlier, if added risk factors are present). Diagnosis can be made by barium enema or by colonoscopy, with biopsy confirmation of cancer tissue. Surgery is the most common treatment for colorectal cancer.
Read Also:
- Cancer, esophagus
Cancer, esophagus: A malignant tumor of the esophagus. The risk of cancer of the esophagus is increased by long-term irritation of the esophagus, such as from smoking, heavy alcohol intake, and Barrett esophagitis. Very small tumors in the esophagus usually do not cause symptoms. As a tumor grows, the most common symptom is difficulty in […]
- Cancer, gastric
Cancer, gastric: A malignant tumor of the stomach. Gastric cancer can develop in any part of the stomach and can spread from the stomach to other organs. Symptoms of stomach cancer are often vague, such as loss of appetite and weight. Gastric cancer is diagnosed via a biopsy of stomach tissue during an endoscopy. Also […]
- Cancer, Hodgkin disease (adult)
Cancer, Hodgkin disease (adult): A type of lymphoma, a cancer that develops in the lymph system, part of the body’s immune system. Because there is lymph tissue in many parts of the body, Hodgkin’s disease can start in almost any part of the body. The cancer can spread to almost any organ or tissue in […]
- Cancer, kidney
Cancer, kidney: Malignancy of the kidney, the organ that is primarily responsible for the removal of metabolic products from the body. The types of kidney cancer in adults and children are different and distinct: Adults — Kidney cancer tends to occur after age 50 and strikes men twice as often as women. The most common […]
- Cancer, larynx
Cancer of the voice box (the larynx) which is located at the top of the windpipe (trachea). Also called laryngeal cancer or laryngeal carcinoma. Cancer of the larynx occurs most often in people over the age of 55 years. A clear association has been made between smoking, excess alcohol ingestion, and laryngeal cancer. If a […]