What is a colon carcinoma?

A colon carcinoma is a tumor that begins in the tissues lining the colon (large intestine). Almost all colon cancers are a type of carcinoma.

Who gets colon cancer?

Older adults are more at risk for colon carcinomas, but any adult can develop one. Recently, there has been an increase in colon cancer rates in adults younger than 50. Hispanics and Blacks are more vulnerable while those who have family histories of colon cancer should begin screenings at an earlier age and do those screenings more frequently. Also at risk are people with a history of chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon.

Risk factors include:

• Diet: Low-fiber, high-fat diets, including diets high in red meat and processed meat create a greater risk for people to develop colon cancer.  
• Inactivity: Inactive people are more likely to develop colon cancer than those who exercise regularly.
• Diabetes: Diabetes or insulin resistance can increase your risk. 
• Obesity: Being overweight can not only increase the risk of developing colon cancer, but it also increases the risk of dying from colon cancer.
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Radiation therapy

Symptoms of colon cancer:

People may not experience symptoms in the early stages. However, if you are suffering from persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in your stool, consistent abdominal discomfort, and/or persistent fatigue, you should make an appointment with a gastroenterologist.

Surgical treatment of colon carcinomas

Depending on the stage and size of the cancer, the type of surgery your doctor performs may vary. You may also receive other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy.

• Your doctor can remove small carcinomas during a colonoscopy.          
• Larger carcinomas can be removed via endoscopic mucosal resection during a colonoscopy. Your surgeon will remove some of the colon’s inner lining along with the polyp.          
• Larger carcinomas may require laparoscopic surgery. Your surgeon performs the operation through several small incisions in your abdominal wall using special tools and a camera. The surgeon will not only remove the polyp, but some lymph nodes as well.       
• For more advanced cases, your surgeon will perform a partial colectomy, which involves removing part of your colon along with a margin of tissue on either side. Your surgeon will then reconnect the healthy remaining portions of the colon or rectum.
• If the entire colon must be removed, your surgeon performs a colectomy and creates a hole (stoma) in your abdominal wall. Solid waste passes through this hole into a bag on the outside of your body (ostomy). The ostomy may be permanent or temporary.       

Colorectal Disease Specialties We Treat