What are the symptoms of transverse colon cancer?

Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
Updated on September 13, 2024
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Transverse colon cancer is a type of colon cancer, belonging to malignant tumors of the digestive system. The main symptoms may include rectal bleeding, narrower stools, increased frequency of defecation, diarrhea, and it may also cause constipation. For instance, if the tumor in the transverse colon is large enough to block the intestinal lumen, it could lead to difficulty in defecating. Constipation or even signs of intestinal obstruction could occur. Generally, a diagnosis can be confirmed through an endoscopic biopsy. After diagnosis, transverse colon cancer can be treated surgically, primarily through curative surgery, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and other comprehensive treatments.

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Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
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Late stage survival of transverse colon cancer

Late-stage colon cancer can still potentially allow for a relatively long survival time, such as living more than one year, two years, or even three to five years. Of course, this also depends on the treatment provided. Generally, it may not be possible to perform curative surgery directly in the advanced stages, but preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and so on, can be administered first. If these treatments can reduce the size of the tumor and lower its stage, there could still be a chance for surgical treatment later. Clinically, if there is no recurrence after more than five years, it is considered to have achieved a clinically curative effect. For instance, surpassing five years can possibly mean extending survival beyond ten years or even longer. However, treatment for late-stage patients needs to be adjusted as it proceeds, and it is impossible to specifically determine how long one can live.

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Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
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What to do about liver metastasis from transverse colon cancer?

Liver metastasis in transverse colon cancer is relatively common, especially in cases where the disease has progressed. Because the transverse colon is located close to the liver region, tumors in this area can potentially metastasize to the liver via the lymphatic or blood circulation, or through local infiltration. In cases where the liver metastasis is localized, there is still an opportunity for surgical treatment involving a radical resection of the transverse colon cancer combined with partial hepatectomy. If there are multiple metastases in the liver, radical surgery may not be feasible. Initially, preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy or targeted therapy is performed. If the liver metastatic lesions can be reduced or disappear, there may still be a chance for surgical treatment afterwards.

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Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
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How long can one live after colon cancer surgery?

If colon cancer can be treated surgically, generally, the outcomes might be quite good. It often applies to cancer in relatively early stages, with potentials to survive for over three years, five years, or even longer. Of course, there are cases of colon cancer that are discovered in later stages, where complete surgical removal is not possible, and only palliative stoma surgery can be performed. In such situations, the survival time might be within three to five years, but the exact life expectancy cannot be fully determined. Each individual's condition is different, and treatment must be adapted accordingly. Typically after surgery, treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy might be used in combination to prolong survival.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Difference between colon polyps and colon cancer

Colon polyps and colon cancer both belong to organic tumors of the colon mucosa, but the fundamental difference is that colon polyps are mostly benign, while colon cancer is a malignant cancer of the intestines. Both colon cancer and colon polyps require examination by electronic colonoscopy for a definitive diagnosis, and further pathological examination is needed. After the detection of colon polyps, it is necessary to promptly perform radiofrequency ablation surgery under electronic colonoscopy. After the detection of colon cancer, it is necessary to complete relevant pelvic and systemic examinations, and after clarifying the local lesions, surgical removal is performed. Postoperatively, based on the size of the cancerous mass and the extent of the lesion, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be required.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Is lower right abdominal pain colon cancer?

Pain in the lower right abdomen does not necessarily indicate colon cancer, as there are many possible causes of this pain. Common conditions include acute or chronic appendicitis, gynecological diseases such as pelvic inflammatory disease, torsion of a right ovarian cyst, ectopic pregnancy, and others. Additionally, urological issues like a stone in the lower part of the right ureter can cause severe pain in the lower right abdomen, which are again not indicative of colon cancer. Gastrointestinal diseases like Crohn's disease often lead to pain in the lower right abdomen. Of course, tumors in the ileocecal area or ascending colon can also cause such pain. Hence, while lower right abdominal pain is not necessarily due to colon cancer, in rare cases, it could be.