When we hear the word cancer, we all get a little scared, don't we? Among them, colorectal cancer is a fairly common disease in our country. When talking to a doctor or looking at a medical report, we hear and see a lot of unfamiliar words. For example, words like Colonoscopy, Biopsy, Chemotherapy. Because we don't understand these words properly, we can sometimes feel very uncomfortable, confused, and unnecessarily afraid. So today we thought we would talk to you about the simple meaning of a few of these words. As if talking to a best friend, in a relaxed manner.
Let's first learn about cancer and types of tumors.
Let's first look at what cancer is. Simply put, our bodies are made up of billions of tiny cells. Cancer occurs when these cells divide rapidly and uncontrollably. These cancer cells gather together to form a tumor .
These nuts are mainly of two types:
- Benign Tumor: These are non-cancerous, "good" tumors. They are usually only in one place and do not spread to other parts of the body.
- Malignant Tumor: This is the "bad" type of tumor, meaning it is cancerous. They can damage surrounding tissue and travel to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. When cancer spreads in this way, we call it metastasizing .
Colon cancer often starts as small growths called polyps . Although these are not cancerous at first (like adenomas), they can eventually turn into cancer. That's why it's important to detect and remove them early.
Let's learn a little about where this disease occurs.
The two words Colorectal Cancer mean cancer that develops in the Colon (large intestine) and Rectum (anus). Let's simply understand what these parts are.
This is the final route through which the waste products that remain after the food we eat has been digested and the nutrients have been absorbed into our bodies.
- Colon / Large Intestine: This is the part of our digestive system that is closest to the end, about 6 feet long. Its main function is to absorb water and salts from waste products back into the body and form stool.
- Rectum: The last 8 inches of the large intestine is called the rectum. This is where stool is temporarily stored before it is expelled.
- Anus: The opening through which feces exit the body.
Symptoms and related conditions you may experience
The table below lists some of the symptoms and medical terms associated with colon cancer. If you have any of these symptoms, please see a doctor.
| Medical term / symptom | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Rectal Bleeding | Red blood coming out of the anus with or without stool. This could be due to hemorrhoids, but it should never be ignored. |
| Anemia (blood deficiency) | As the cancer gradually bleeds into the body, the blood volume in the body may decrease. This can cause you to feel extremely tired and pale. |
| Constipation | The cancerous tumor has narrowed the intestinal tract, making it difficult to pass stool. |
| Diarrhea | In some cases, diarrhea can occur due to changes in bowel function. |
| Hemorrhoids | Swelling of the blood vessels in the rectum. Some people confuse this with a sign of cancer because it can also bleed. However, it is essential to get checked out by a doctor. |
| Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) | This is a long-term inflammatory condition of the intestines. It includes both Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis . People with IBD are at increased risk of developing colon cancer. |
Most importantly, if you experience any sudden changes in bowel habits (e.g., alternating constipation and diarrhea), abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss, be sure to talk to your doctor about it.
How does the doctor diagnose the disease?
After asking about your symptoms, your doctor may suggest several tests to confirm the diagnosis. Don't be afraid of these. It will be a great help to you to know what these are.
| Test | What happens with this? (What Happens?) |
|---|---|
| Colonoscopy | A flexible tube with a camera attached is inserted through the anus to examine the entire colon. This is the best and most accurate test for detecting colon cancer. If any growths, such as polyps, are present, they can be removed right away. |
| Biopsy | During a colonoscopy, a small piece of tissue is taken from a suspicious area and examined under a microscope. This test is 100% certain whether or not it is cancerous . |
| CT Scan | A special X-ray technique takes cross-sectional images (slice images) of the inside of the body. This is very important to see if the cancer has spread beyond the intestine or to other areas, such as the liver or lungs. |
| Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) | A simple test that looks for invisible blood in the stool. This is used as a screening test to detect cancer. |
What are the treatments for cancer?
Once the disease is confirmed, treatment is determined based on the stage of the cancer, its spread, and the patient's health status.
Surgery
This is the main treatment. Here, the cancerous tumor and a portion of healthy tissue around it are surgically removed.
- Colectomy: Removal of the cancerous part of the colon.
- Anastomosis: After a section of intestine has been removed, the two remaining ends are reconnected.
- Colostomy: In some cases, especially if the cancer is very close to the anus, it is not possible to connect the two ends of the intestine together. In such cases, a temporary or permanent opening is made on the surface of the skin of the abdomen to allow stool to pass through. This is called a colostomy. There is no need to worry about this, the doctors and nurses will teach you how to manage it.
Chemotherapy
These are special medications that are given to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. They can be given as injections or pills. They are used to shrink a tumor before surgery, or to kill any cancer cells that may be left after surgery.
Radiation Therapy
Using high-energy rays (such as X-rays) to destroy cancer cells. This treatment is commonly used for rectal cancer.
Sometimes one or more of these treatments may be used together. For example, chemotherapy given in addition to surgery is called adjuvant therapy .
Take-Home Message
- If you don't understand a word a doctor says, never be afraid to ask. It is your right to be clear about your medical condition.
- Never ignore symptoms like rectal bleeding or a change in bowel habits. It could be hemorrhoids, but it's important to get checked out by a doctor.
- Colon cancer can be completely cured if detected early. Therefore, people at risk (usually after the age of 45) should talk to their doctor and learn about tests such as colonoscopy.
- It's normal to feel scared when you learn you have cancer. But remember, there are many very effective treatments available today.
- For any health problem, do not rely solely on information found on the internet, but seek advice only from a qualified physician (doctor) .
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