Colon cancer is a potentially deadly form of cancer that begins in the colon. The colon is the large intestine, and the cancer usually starts in the tissue lining the colon. It can also start in the rectum, which is the end of the colon.
If colon cancer is caught early, it is highly treatable. However, in some cases, the cancer can come back after treatment. This is called a relapse.
There are several factors that can increase the risk of colon cancer relapse. These include:
• Having a family history of colon cancer
• Having certain genetic mutations, such as in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes
• Having a history of inflammatory bowel disease
• Being overweight or obese
• Smoking cigarettes
• Drinking alcohol
• Not getting enough exercise
• Eating a diet high in processed meats and low in fruits and vegetables
If you have any of these risk factors, it is important to talk to your doctor about your risk of colon cancer relapse.
There are several different types of treatment for colon cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. In some cases, a combination of these treatments is used.
If the cancer comes back after treatment, it is important to catch it early. The cancer can spread to other parts of the body if it is not treated.
There are several signs of colon cancer relapse. These include:
• A change in your bowel habits
• Blood in your stool
• Stomach pain
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Anemia
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor right away.
Colon cancer is a serious disease, but it is highly treatable if it is caught early. If you have any risk factors for colon cancer relapse, be sure to talk to your doctor about your risk.
Colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with more than 50,000 people dying from the disease each year. While there are treatments available that can improve the chances of survival, the disease often comes back, even after successful treatment.
Now, researchers have identified a specific type of cell that is responsible for colon cancer relapse. The findings, published in the journal Nature, could lead to new treatments that could improve the chances of long-term survival for people with colon cancer.
The researchers looked at data from more than 1,000 people with colon cancer who had undergone surgery to remove the tumor. They found that a small number of cancer cells remain in the body after surgery, and these cells are the ones that are responsible for the relapse of the disease.
The findings could lead to the development of new treatments that target these cells, which could improve the chances of survival for people with colon cancer.
