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Colon cancer
What should be done after the complete removal of colon cancer?
After surgical removal of colon cancer, the postoperative treatment strategy should be determined based on the precise staging of the cancer according to the surgical pathology. If the colon cancer has invaded the mucosal layer and the submucosal layer, or the muscular layer, it is staged as stage I; postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is not required, and regular follow-up is sufficient. If the colon cancer reaches stage II or III, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is needed to reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence and metastasis. Stage IV colon cancer does not fall under the aforementioned conditions of clean removal of the cancer.
What is the likelihood of metastasis for colon cancer with a certain Ki-67 index?
Currently, the Ki67 index in colon cancer cannot be used as a predictive factor for metastasis. Ki67 reflects the proliferation index of the tumor and is related to the malignancy level of the tumor, but it is not possible to judge the risk of subsequent metastasis based on the Ki67 value. The factors that can be used to assess the risk of postoperative metastasis in colon cancer mainly include the depth of local invasion of the colon cancer, whether there is lymph node metastasis, and the presence of certain specific gene mutations. The deeper the invasion, the higher the risk of metastasis. Patients with lymph node metastasis have a higher risk of distant recurrence and metastasis compared to those without detected lymph node metastasis.
Can baby's stool with blood be colon cancer?
Blood in the stool of babies is different from that in adults. In infants and young children, due to weaker gastrointestinal digestive functions, inappropriate feeding, changes in diet structure, or abnormal gastrointestinal functions can all lead to the presence of blood in the stool, which is usually not due to colon cancer. Therefore, if a child has persistent blood in their stool accompanied by either no weight gain or weight loss, or other abnormal symptoms, and if there is a suspicion of cancer-related factors, parents should promptly take the child to a hospital for a thorough examination. In most cases, blood in a baby's stool is commonly due to poor digestion of the gastrointestinal tract or from gastroenteritis caused by viruses or bacteria due to an increase in the frequency of bowel movements, or it could be due to severe constipation in the baby, where factors like anal fissures might also lead to blood in the stool.
What causes colon cancer?
Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive system, and its occurrence is related to the following factors: First, dietary factors. A high-fat content and a low fiber content in the diet both lead to an increased incidence of colorectal cancer. Furthermore, long-term consumption of pickled foods can also increase the incidence of colorectal cancer, presumably because these foods contain higher levels of nitrosamine carcinogens. Second, some benign chronic diseases of the colon, such as adenomatous polyps and certain chronic colitis, can also lead to an increased incidence of colorectal cancer. Third, environmental factors. Epidemiological studies have found that the occurrence of colorectal cancer is related to geographical distribution. In some environments with a high incidence of colorectal cancer, the content of some trace elements in the soil is too low, leading to a high incidence of colorectal cancer.
What are the differences between colon cancer and rectal cancer?
The fundamental difference between colon cancer and rectal cancer lies in their locations of occurrence. Both are collectively referred to as colorectal cancer, which is one of the more prevalent malignancies of the digestive system in China. Colon cancer originates from the mucosa of the colon, while rectal cancer originates from the mucosa of the rectum, with different points of origin. In terms of treatment, there are significant differences between colon and rectal cancer. In surgical treatment, both cancers typically require surgery as the first choice. However, patients with colon cancer can preserve their anus, whereas some patients with low rectal cancer might face situations where anus preservation is not possible. In internal medicine, the chemotherapy drugs used for colon and rectal cancer are quite similar. In terms of radiation therapy, there are notable differences; radiation treatment is generally not included for colon cancer but is an important treatment method for rectal cancer.
What are the symptoms of bone metastases from colon cancer?
Colon cancer generally refers to a malignant tumor that grows on the colon and typically appears in middle-aged populations. If colon cancer is not treated promptly, it can easily lead to bone metastasis. The bone metastasis of colon cancer is similar to other tumor metastases. The symptoms such as chest pain or tenderness upon pressing could be caused by bone metastasis from lung cancer. In the early stages of colon cancer, there are generally no symptoms of bone metastasis. However, once the tumor metastasizes to weight-bearing bones, thoracic vertebrae, cervical vertebrae, or lumbar vertebrae, it can result in paralysis. Patients must seek timely medical examination and treatment at a hospital to prevent the cancer cells from metastasizing.
Is intermittent pain in the upper right abdomen for two months colon cancer?
Persistent dull pain in the upper right abdomen lasting two months is very likely a clinical symptom caused by colon cancer. This is often due to the lesion of colon cancer invading the intestinal mucosa, causing mucosal spasms and resulting in pain. Alternatively, the tumor may cause obstruction of the intestinal lumen, leading to intestinal obstruction, which also presents as pain clinically. This type of pain is generally characterized by persistent dull pain, especially more pronounced at night, and ordinary anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are less effective in relieving it. The pain will only subside after the lesions of colon cancer are effectively controlled. However, for dull pain in the upper right abdomen, some benign diseases, such as certain ulcerative colitis or chronic intestinal tuberculosis, should also be considered, as they can present with similar symptoms. To definitively diagnose whether the dull pain is caused by colon cancer or a benign colon condition, it is generally necessary to complete related imaging or hematological examinations. Sometimes, histopathological examinations are necessary to differentiate the diagnosis.
What are the early symptoms of colon cancer?
The early symptoms of colon cancer mainly include discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen, which does not necessarily become more pronounced after eating and generally occurs intermittently. Some patients may also experience changes in stool shape, primarily manifested as narrower stools, or an increased frequency of bowel movements per day, leading to diarrhea. Some patients in the early stages may experience worsening of pre-existing constipation, or alternating symptoms of diarrhea and constipation. Some colon cancer patients in the early stages may experience bloody stools, or the presence of mucus, pus, and blood in the stool, which are some atypical gastrointestinal symptoms of colitis. Some patients may also experience nausea.
Is stage II-III colon cancer considered late stage?
Patients with stage II and III colon cancer are not yet considered to be in the classic advanced stages. Current oncology believes that colon cancer is categorized as stage IV and considered advanced when distant metastases occur. Common sites of metastasis for colon cancer include the liver, lungs, and bones. Stage II colon cancer patients do not have metastases to the pericolic lymph nodes, which is relatively early; stage III colon cancer patients have metastases to the pericolic lymph nodes, which is later than stage II, but as long as there are no distant metastases, it does not reach the advanced stage IV.
Is upper gastrointestinal bleeding colon cancer?
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding cannot be caused by colon cancer, as the colon is part of the lower gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, upper gastrointestinal bleeding cannot result from colon cancer. There are several diseases that can cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding: The first common cause is peptic ulcer, including both gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers, which can lead to bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The second cause is bleeding due to esophageal or gastric varices rupture associated with liver cirrhosis. This type of bleeding can be substantial and sometimes life-threatening. The third cause is acute gastric mucosal injury, such as that caused by heavy alcohol consumption or the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The fourth cause is gastric cancer, which can lead to upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. While colon cancer can cause rectal bleeding, it is not a cause of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding.