This cancer starts within the lining of the large bowel (colon) or the last part of large bowel before reaching the back passage (rectum).
Symptoms to look out for include:
Persistent change in normal bowel habit for more than 2-3 weeks such as looser motions, passing more frequent motions, or getting constipation
Bleeding from the back passage, or blood that is mixed with stool
Pain or lump in your tummy
Unexplained weight loss, and / or loss of appetite
Tiredness caused by lower than normal level of red blood cells (anaemia)Treatment depends on which part of the colon the cancer starts.
Right colon cancer: Surgery includes removal of the right colon and associated blood vessels and lymph glands. The bowel ends are then joined (anastomosis) with low chances to have a stoma (Right Hemicolectomy)
Transverse colon cancer: Surgery includes removal of the right colon, transverse colon and associated blood vessels and lymph glands. The bowel ends are then joined (anastomosis) with low chances to have a stoma (Extended Right Hemicolectomy)
Left colon cancer: Surgery includes removal of the left colon and associated blood vessels and lymph glands. The bowel ends are then joined (anastomosis) with low chances to have a stoma (Left Hemicolectomy)
Sigmoid / upper rectal cancer: Surgery includes removal of part of the left colon, upper part of the rectum and associated blood vessels and lymph glands. The bowel ends are then joined (anastomosis) with a possibility to have a stoma (High Anterior Resection)
Mid rectal cancer: Surgery includes removal of lower part of the left colon, the whole rectum and associated blood vessels and lymph glands. The bowel ends are then joined (anastomosis) with most likely creating a diverting temporary stoma that can be reversed by another smaller surgery (Low Anterior Resection)
Low rectal cancer: Surgery includes removal of the whole rectum, anus and all associated muscle, and associated blood vessels and lymph glands resulting in permanent stoma (Abdominoperineal Excision of the Anus and Rectum – APER)