Cancer of the colon is a major health problem in the United States. It ranks as a leading form of cancer, along with lung and breast cancer. Importantly, colon cancer is also one of the most curable forms of cancer. When detected early, more than 90 percent of patients can be cured.
This disease begins in the cells that line the colon. A polyp is a growth that occurs in the colon and other organs. These growths, or fleshy tumors, are shaped like a mushroom or a dome-like button, and occur on the inside lining of the colon. They may be as small as a tiny pea or larger than a plum. It is important to note that while colon polyps start out as benign tumors, some polyps, in time, become malignant. In fact, the larger the polyp, the more likely it is to contain cancer cells. In most cases, it is a polyp called an adenoma polyp that develops into colon cancer.
The key to early detection of colon polyps and cancer is the concern and willingness of each person to seek medical attention from a physician. Colon cancers and large polyps release minute quantities of blood; therefore, examination of the stool for occult(hidden) blood is an important exam. Removal of colon polyps reduces the risk of subsequent development of cancer of the colon. Polyps are usually removed using a colonoscope which allows the physician to visualize the inside of the colon. Biopsy equipment and snares (wire loops) are passed through the endoscope and, with electrical heat (electrocautery), remove polyps and small tumors. This procedure is performed in the outpatient setting under sedation. Cancer of the colon is a serious but readily detected malignancy. Early detection promises a particularly high chance of survival. Most colon cancers start as polyps, which can usually be removed through a colonoscopic exam. Today, there is much that can be done to prevent and cure this cancer. The essential first step involves action by the patient.