User:Palmd/colonca
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Overview
Colon cancer is the third most common caner in both men and women in the United States. It is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S, with 50,000-60,000 people dying of it yearly.
Anatomy
The anantomy of the colon is important in understanding cancer. The colon is usually considered to have 5 sections:
- ascending colon
- transverse colon
- descending colon
- sigmoid colon
- rectum
Natural History
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Many people with colon cancer have no symptoms at all. In people who do have symptoms, the most common ones are:
- Abdominal pain — 44 percent
- Change in bowel habit — 43 percent
- Hematochezia or melena — 40 percent
- Weakness — 20 percent
- Anemia without other gastrointestinal symptoms — 11 percent
- Weight loss — 6 percent
Treatment & Prognosis
References
- Jemal, A, Siegel, R, Ward, E, et al. Cancer statistics, 2006. CA Cancer J Clin 2006; 56:106.
- Speights, VO, Johnson, MW, Stoltenberg, PH, et al. Colorectal cancer: Current trends in initial clinical manifestations. South Med J 1991; 84:575.