Stage Iv Colon Cancer
Stage IV Colon Cancer: Incurable Stage Of Colon CancerStage IV Colon Cancer is considered as the last phase of colorectal cancer or colon cancer (disease in which cells in the colon or rectum become virulent and divide forming a tumor). The colon and rectum are parts of the digestive system in which it removes water and nutrients from food and is the storage of the solid waste, till it is passed out as stool and urine. There are 4 stages of colon cancer, or colorectal cancer. In the first stage, the indications are of very early colon cancer. In the second stage, only the inner layers of the colon may be cancerous. The third stage of this cancer means it has spread through the muscle wall of the colon, lymph nodes have been affected by cancer and in the stage four colon cancer, the cancer has spread to other organs around the colon. The cancerous cells multiply and slowly invade and destroy tissues around them. The invaded tissue, after some time, start to break into the surrounding good tissue and grow in them, thus multiplying manifold in Stage 4 colon cancer. In this fashion, they spread throughout the body slowly but vigorously and then destroy the tissues and inhibit the normal working of the organs. The detection of the colon cancer stage is determined by a series of multiple tests. Physicians or oncologists (cancer specialists) may recommend tests for screening to find the colon cancer stage. A test for the presence of hidden blood in the stools, a sigmoidioscopy, that is inserted through the rectum and by an examination of the rectum and lower colon can detect cancerous growths in the rectum or in the lower part of the colon. This test is restricted to only the lower part of the colon and the rectum. A colonoscopy, on the other hand, is also done. This test looks at, along with the oncologist or physician, the entire colon and rectum to find the cancerous growths through the colon, including its upper part. A newer method is the taking a series of x-rays of the entire colon and rectum. These are not ordinary x-rays. A barium meal, coupled with air, is administered to check the colon and rectum to see if abnormal growth is found in the area. A physical test is also done by the physician or oncologist, who physically feels the lower rectum and tries to locate abnormal areas. These are some of the more commonly used tests. Studies are still being conducted on how to improve and innovate newer methods to determine how effective these tests are. In most cases, stage 4 colon cancer is not curable. The first three stages cancers have a better chance of a potential cure. So it is advised to report the symptoms as soon as you detect them. |