Colon Cancer. - Rainbow & Star

Colon Cancer.

The human colon is a muscular, tube-shaped organ measuring about 4 feet long. It extends from the end of your small bowel to your anus, twisting and turning through your abdomen (belly). The colon has 3 main functions.

• To digest and absorb nutrients from food
• To concentrate fecal material by absorbing fluid (and electrolytes) from it
• To store and control evacuation of fecal material

The right side of your colon plays a major role in absorbing water and electrolytes, while the left side is responsible for storage and evacuation of stool.

Cancer is the transformation of normal cells. The transformed cells grow and multiply abnormally.

• Left untreated, these cancers grow and eventually spread through the colon wall to involve the adjacent lymph nodes and organs. Ultimately, they spread to distant organs such as the liver, lungs, brain, and bones.
• Cancers are dangerous because of their unbridled growth. They overwhelm healthy cells, tissues, and organs by taking their oxygen, nutrients, and space.
• Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas-tumors that develop from the glands lining the colon?s inner wall.
• These tumors are sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer, reflecting the fact that the rectum, the end portion of the colon, can also be affected.

Colorectal cancer, less formally known as?bowel cancer, is a?cancer?characterized by?neoplasia?in the?colon,?rectum, orvermiform appendix. Colorectal cancer is clinically distinct from?anal cancer, which affects the?anus.?Colorectal cancers start in the lining of the bowel. If left untreated, it can grow into the muscle layers underneath, and then through the bowel wall. Most begin as a small growth on the bowel wall: a?colorectal polyp?or?adenoma. These mushroom-shaped growths are usually?benign, but some develop into cancer over time. Localized bowel cancer is usually diagnosed throughcolonoscopy.

Credits to:

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/colon_cancer/article_em.htm

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorectal_cancer

posted on August 9, 2011 with 0 rainbow star

Source: http://www.therainbowstar.net/colon-cancer/

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