Colon cancer is commonly linked with age. Regardless, this condition continues to increase among younger individuals. You will need timely intervention to realize relief. If you are looking for efficient Flemington colon cancer care, contact Hunterdon Hematology Oncology, LLC to benefit from innovative therapies.
Causes of Colon Cancer
Colon cancer usually starts as a polyp growing in the colon’s lining (large intestine) or rectum. Although polyps are not dangerous when they first appear, their DNA can change over time, resulting in abnormal cells that grow into colon cancer.
Is Colon Cancer Preventable?
A screening colonoscopy can help you avoid most colon cancers. A slender, flexible tube is inserted through your rectum, advancing to the end of your large intestine during a colonoscopy. The scope has a video camera that sends images to a monitor, allowing your doctor to examine and analyze the lining of your colon.
If your doctor discovers any polyps, they will remove the mass and send it to a lab to determine its cancer. Polyp removal keeps colon cancer from developing. If cancer has already formed, removing the polyp cures the disease and prevents its spreading.
Colon Cancer Symptoms
Colon cancer rarely causes symptoms in its early stages. However, as the tumor grows or spreads, you may experience:
- Bright red blood in your stool
- Abdominal pain
- Changes in your bowel habits
- Fatigue
- Feeling bloated
- Unexplained weight loss
- A dark, tarry stool
Changes in bowel habits may indicate constipation, diarrhea, narrow stools, or a difference in stool consistency.
Is there Treatment for Colon Cancer?
The initial step is to remove the tumor when treating colon cancer. Your viable surgery type is determined by the extent of the cancer and its location in the colon. A colonoscopy may be the most effective treatment in the early stages.
While removing all cancer by a colonoscopy is impossible, a colectomy can be necessary to extract part or all of the gut along with the nearby lymph nodes. Hunterdon Hematology Oncology, LLC may use radiation therapy to reduce the tumor before surgery and to eradicate any cancer cells that remain after surgery. Radiation and chemical therapy may be their primary treatment for patients who are not good candidates for surgery.
Hunterdon Hematology Oncology, LLC specializes in advanced colon cancer therapies in addition to radiation oncology and chemotherapy infusion.
Targeted Treatment
When chemotherapy fails to work, targeted medications may be an alternative. These drugs may inhibit the formation of blood vessels in the tumor or reduce growth factors. Tumor development slows or ceases in both circumstances.
Immunotherapy
Cancer cells can activate checkpoints, which prevent your immune system from attacking cancer. Immunotherapy drugs work by targeting these checkpoints and restoring your immune response, allowing your body to fight cancer.
Clinical Trials
Hunterdon Hematology Oncology, LLC also conducts clinical trials, which may provide you with access to new cancer treatments.
What Other Services Can I Receive for Colon Cancer?
In the office, Hunterdon Hematology Oncology, LLC provides a wide range of services, including:
- Pharmacy
- Dietary counseling
- Family risk assessment
- Lab work
- Scalp-cooling treatment to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy
- Counseling for patients, families, and caregivers
For more information, diagnosis, and treatment of colon cancer, call Hunterdon Hematology Oncology, LLC, or book an appointment online.
