INTESTINAL CANCER
Intestinal cancer usually affects the large bowel. It is very uncommon for the small intestine to be affected by malignant disease. The most common symptom leading to discovery of this malignancy is anemia, which shows itself by generalized weakness, or bleeding that may be noticed during a bowel movement. In some instances the first signs of the disease are a change of bowel habits or an actual blockage of the large intestine. Diagnosis is often made by a barium enema and a colonoscopy. If the suspicion is very high, some physicians omit the X-ray examination and go directly to colonoscopy.
The mainstay of treatment of intestinal cancer is surgery. It is important to remove the tumor to prevent blockage of the bowel and to determine whether the disease has spread. This can be partially established through scans and X-rays prior to surgery. After the operation some people require a colostomy, although most people return to normal bowel function. Chemotherapy and in some instances radiation therapy may be of value. In the very elderly or the severely debilitated who have tumors of the lower part of the large bowel (rectum), radiotherapy alone can be effective in decreasing symptoms and avoiding the risk of blockage. The results of treatment for cancer of the large bowel can be very satisfying. I have known many older individuals who have lived for many years after having undergone surgery and treatment for this type of malignancy.
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