Colon Cancer

In school earning a zero is not a good grade. With colon cancer, a zero is the best grade. That refers to colon cancer Stage 0. In this stage, the cancer is confined to the lining of the colon. Typically the cancer is found in polyps that are attacked to the lining of the large intestine.

A colonoscopy is a regular diagnostic procedure recommended every 10 years or more frequently if prior risks exist. In some cases, the polyps can be removed when first identified during a colonoscopy. Otherwise a second procedure is scheduled for removal of cancerous tissues and polyps.

In Stage 0, surgical removal of cancerous cells is the aggressive and most successful treatment option. This is not a cancer that starts with chemotherapy or radiation. Those options are used for other stages where surgery alone is not enough. With surgical removal, the American Cancer Society reports a 93% survival rate five years after treatment. After surgery and the colon has been cleared of polyps, the oncologist generally recommends repeating the colonoscopy in one to three year intervals.

Patients with Stage 0 colon cancer have to make many physical and emotional adjustments. To begin with, most people who go in for a routine colonoscopy have no warning about the presence of cancerous cells. The first reaction will be shock because colon cancer does not send out notable symptoms in the early stages. After the diagnosis, a patient enters an area of the medical care system that is unfamiliar. The patient will be referred to an oncologist, cancer specialist who will review the results and formulate a treatment plan. A gastroenterologist may also become part of the treatment team to deal with related internal problems.

The American Cancer Society recommends that newly diagnosed colon cancer patients bring a trusted family member to medical appointments to act as another listener. The shock of the diagnosis takes time to adjust to and the patient can be overwhelmed by the circumstances while missing important information. The patient needs to decide how much information is enough and how much is too much. The American Cancer Society web page has a section “Learn About Cancer” at www.cancer.org. Information from this source is known to be credible and up to date. The oncologist or cancer treatment center usually provides pamphlets and basic information to educate a patient and the patient's family about this first stage of colon cancer.

The colon cancer Stage 0 survival rate is high. With aggressive surgical treatment patients have potential to be declared cured when remaining cancer free after five years. Acting fast is the key to reducing the potential for cancer to spread and do more damage. Even though Stage 0 has an encouraging treatment success rate, each patient needs time to adjust to the diagnosis and how to preserve as much of their lifestyle as possible while seeking treatment. Family members also need time to adjust and calm their fears about what is happening to their loved one.

Stage 3 Colon Cancer |