It can lie hidden, evading detection, until a person spots blood and mucous in the his stool, and decides to take a colonoscopy.

Staff writer  |  GDCS

7 October, Chennai

Colon cancer, a predominantly western world disease, is now gaining ground in India. Every week, Dr. Patta Radhakrishna, the chief gastroenterologist surgeon of SIMS Hospital, Chennai, operates on a few patients. Other hospitals report of as many, if not more, he says.

Annually, about 4 to 5 Indians per 100,000 get colon cancer, according to the data provided by the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Cancer

The colon, along with the rectum, forms the end part of the intestinal tube. The colon holds the feces (excreta), until the feces are ejected out of the rectum. It is shaped like a question mark, and is about 3 to 4 feet long.

The cancer can erupt on any part of its tubular length.

The cancer erupts on the inner wall of the colon tube in the form of polyps – a kind of mushroom like growth. At that stage, there may be no manifest indication of the cancer. However, when left untreated, the polyps will grow in size, eventually blocking off the tube.

“Early detection, of course, is the most desirable in such a case… If the cyst is found early, a surgeon can excise it in good time,” says Dr. Patta. “That is, however, easier said…”

Detection

Colonoscopy is the only way to detect the trouble spots. It entails sending up a telescope through the rectum to examine the colon passage. Since early stage colon cancer or colon cyst does not always throw up visible symptoms, no one really approaches a doctor or finds it necessary to submit to an impromptu colonoscopy.

“That is where the problem lies. Blood or mucus in the stool is the only indication of colon cancer. But that too is a late stage development.”

 Treatment

Colon cancer needs surgery. At the hands of a seasoned doctor, the surgery is almost always successful.

The surgery entails cutting off and removing the affected colon part. Sometimes, if it is a late stage cancer, the surgeon may even choose to remove the entire colon.

It could also so happen that the cancer that started in the colon creeps up to the liver and the lungs. In most cases, a surgery can fix even those. However, it is conditional on how soon the patient can get himself to the doctor.

CONTACT US

SIMS Hospital - Vadapalani, Chennai

(Next to Vadapalani Metro Station)

No.1, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai

(100 Feet Road), Vadapalani

Chennai – 600 026, Tamilnadu, India