Patient Testimonial
A patient from Jaipur initially diagnosed with only appendicitis turned out to have colon cancer- cancer survivor story
A common symptom between appendicitis and colon cancer is feeling frequent stomach pain/ cramps. That is what happened with Mr. Mukesh Tank as well.
Overview
The colon and rectum are parts of the digestive system. They form a long, muscular tube called the large intestine (also called the large bowel). The colon is the first 4 to 5 feet of the large intestine, and the rectum is the last several inches.
Partly digested food enters the colon from the small intestine. The colon removes water and nutrients from the food and turns the rest into waste (stool). The waste passes from the colon into the rectum and then out of the body through the anus.
WHAT IS COLON / RECTUM CANCER
Tumors can be benign or malignant:
1. Benign tumors are not cancer:
- Benign tumors are rarely life-threatening.
- Most benign tumors can be removed. They usually do not grow back.
- Benign tumors do not invade the tissues around them.
- Cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body.
2. Malignant tumors are cancer:
- Malignant tumors are generally more serious than benign tumors. They may be life-threatening.
- Malignant tumors often can be removed. But sometimes they grow back.
- Malignant tumors can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs.
- Cancer cells can break away from a malignant tumor and spread to other parts of the body. Cancer cells spread by entering the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. The cancer cells form new tumors that damage other organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.
When colorectal cancer spreads outside the colon or rectum, cancer cells are often found in nearbylymph nodes. If cancer cells have reached these nodes, they may also have spread to other lymph nodes or other organs. Colorectal cancer cells most often spread to the liver.
When cancer spreads from its original place to another part of the body, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the original tumor. For example, if colorectal cancer spreads to the liver, the cancer cells in the liver are actually colorectal cancer cells. The disease is metastatic colorectal cancer, not liver cancer. For that reason, it is treated as colorectal cancer, not liver cancer. Doctors call the new tumor "distant" or metastatic disease.
SYMPTOMS
A common symptom of colorectal cancer is a change in bowel habits. Symptoms include:
- Having diarrhea or constipation
- Feeling that your bowel does not empty completely
- Finding blood (either bright red or very dark) in your stool
- Finding your stools are narrower than usual
- Frequently having gas pains or cramps, or feeling full or bloated
- Losing weight with no known reason
- Feeling very tired all the time
- Having nausea or vomiting
Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer. Other health problems can cause the same symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Usually, early cancer does not cause pain. It is important not to wait to feel pain before seeing a doctor.
Learn more about colon-rectum cancer- its risk factors, treatment methods etc. here.
Patient Mukesh Tank testimonial
At the age of 32, Mr. Mukesh Tank hailing from Jaipur, felt sudden stomach pain. After consulting with a local doctor, he was informed that he has appendicitis. He underwent the surgery to remove his appendix but did not feel much relief. Around same time he learned about Dr. Avinash Tank and consulted with him as well. After few other tests, it was found that he had colon cancer and there was obstruction in his intestine.
After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, he has completely recovered. It has been 11 years since then, and he is living a cancer free life.
