Colon cancer
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.
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- Colon cancer family history
Colon cancer family history: A family history of colorectal cancer (CRC). First-degree relatives of people with CRC are themselves at a 2 to 3-fold increased risk of colorectal cancer. (Parents, brothers and sisters, and children are first-degree relatives.) When the family history includes 2 or more relatives with CRC, the possibility of an inherited CRC […]
- Colon cancer and polyps
Benign tumors of the large intestine are called polyps. Malignant tumors of the large intestine are called cancers. Benign polyps do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Benign polyps can be easily removed during colonoscopy, and are not life threatening. If benign polyps are not removed from the large […]
- Colon polyp
A benign tumor of the large intestine. Benign polyps do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Benign polyps can easily be removed during colonoscopy and are not life threatening. If benign polyps are not removed from the large intestine, they can become malignant (cancerous) over time. Most cancers of […]
- Colon syndrome, nervous
Colon syndrome, nervous: A common gastrointestinal disorder involving an abnormal condition of gut contractions (motility) characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, mucous in stools, and irregular bowel habits with alternating diarrhea and constipation, symptoms that tend to be chronic and to wax and wane over the years. Although the disorder can cause chronic recurrent discomfort, it […]
- Colonic (adjective)
Colonic (adjective): Relating to the colon, that part of the large intestine that runs from the cecum to the rectum. For a personal example, I had 17 colonic polyps removed by colonoscopy.