Colon Cancer Overview

COLON CANCER

The human colon is a muscular, tube-shaped organ measuring about 4 feet long. It extends from the end of your small intestine to the anus, by turning the abdomen (belly). The colon has three main functions.

To digest and absorb nutrients from food

Focus on the stools by absorbing fluid (and electrolytes) from

To store and control evacuation of feces

The right side of the colon plays an important role in absorbing water and electrolytes, while the left side is responsible for the storage and disposal of feces.

Cancer is the transformation of normal cells. The transformed cells grow and multiply abnormally.

Without treatment, these cancers grow and spread through the wall of the colon to the lymph nodes and organs. Finally, spread to distant organs such as liver, lungs, brain and bones.

Cancer is dangerous because they grow unhindered. They overwhelm healthy cells, tissues and organs by taking the oxygen, nutrients and space.

Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas-tumors that develop in the glands lining the inner wall of the colon.

These tumors are sometimes called colorectal cancer, reflecting the fact that the rectum, the terminal portion of the colon, may also be affected.