Q&A for How to Recognize Colon Cancer Symptoms

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At what stage does colon cancer show symptoms?

Joshua Ellenhorn, MD
Board Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
Joshua Ellenhorn, MD, is a board certified surgeon with advanced training in the fields of surgical oncology, minimally invasive surgery, and robotic surgery. He runs a private practice at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California and is a nationally recognized leader in surgery, cancer research, and surgical education. Dr. Ellenhorn has trained more than 60 surgical oncologists and has spent over 18 years in practice at the City of Hope National Medical Center, where he was a professor and the chief of the Division of General and Oncologic Surgery. Dr. Ellenhorn performs the following surgical procedures: gallbladder surgery, hernia repair, colorectal cancer, skin cancer and melanoma, gastric cancer, and pancreatic cancer. He earned an MD from the Boston University School of Medicine, completed fellowships at the University of Chicago and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and finished his residency in surgery at the University of Cincinnati.

Joshua Ellenhorn, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist

Expert Answer

The majority of colorectal cancers begin as polyps (abnormal tumors) inside the colon or rectum. These tumors may become cancers over an extended period of time.

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Question

How can I prevent getting colon cancer?

Joshua Ellenhorn, MD
Board Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
Joshua Ellenhorn, MD, is a board certified surgeon with advanced training in the fields of surgical oncology, minimally invasive surgery, and robotic surgery. He runs a private practice at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California and is a nationally recognized leader in surgery, cancer research, and surgical education. Dr. Ellenhorn has trained more than 60 surgical oncologists and has spent over 18 years in practice at the City of Hope National Medical Center, where he was a professor and the chief of the Division of General and Oncologic Surgery. Dr. Ellenhorn performs the following surgical procedures: gallbladder surgery, hernia repair, colorectal cancer, skin cancer and melanoma, gastric cancer, and pancreatic cancer. He earned an MD from the Boston University School of Medicine, completed fellowships at the University of Chicago and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and finished his residency in surgery at the University of Cincinnati.

Joshua Ellenhorn, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist

Expert Answer

Schedule regular colonoscopies with your doctor since they'll be able to detect polyps and remove them before they're malignant.

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What are the survival rates in colon cancer or cure for colon cancer?

Jurdy Dugdale, RN
Medical Review Board
Jurdy Dugdale is a Registered Nurse in Florida. She received her Nursing License from the Florida Board of Nursing in 1989.

Jurdy Dugdale, RN

Medical Review Board

Expert Answer

The earlier the detection the better the chances are for a full recovery.

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Question

I had colon cancer 10 years ago and have had regular check ups. Recently, they discovered a polyp and I'm worried about the chances of it being another cancer. What can I do?

Janice Litza, MD
Board Certified Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Litza is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician based in Racine, Wisconsin. With over 25 years of educational and professional experience, she has extensive experience providing full-spectrum Family Medicine, including obstetrics, newborn care, and hospital medicine. She is currently the Residency Program Director for Family Medicine at Ascension. Dr. Litza received her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and has completed additional fellowship training in Integrative Medicine through the University of Arizona.

Janice Litza, MD

Board Certified Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

The first couple of years after diagnosis and treatment of cancer are very critical and once you are past the 5 year mark without a recurrence, your chances are much smaller, but still higher than people who have never had cancer. This is why staying current with the recommended monitoring is very critical because your risk will always be higher and catching it early is important to prevent spread.

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How do you know if colon cancer has spread?

Gary Hoffman, MD
Colorectal Surgeon
Dr. Gary Hoffman is a board certified Colorectal Surgeon and the Clinical Chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. With over 35 years of experience, Dr. Hoffman has helped to advance laparoscopic and robotic surgery for the treatment of colon and rectal cancer. Dr. Hoffman holds a BS from the University of California, Irvine, and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Vanderbilt University. He completed his surgical internship at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center and his surgical residency at Louisiana State University-Charity Hospital of New Orleans Medical Center. Dr. Hoffman is an Attending Surgeon in the Division of General Surgery and Colon and Rectal Surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at The David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Hoffman is a member of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, The Southern California Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, The American College of Surgeons, and The American Medical Association.

Gary Hoffman, MD

Colorectal Surgeon

Expert Answer

You might experience weight loss, blood in your stool, or aching pains in your bones. You might also have dizziness, shortness of breath, abdominal swelling, or your doctor might tell you you're anemic. Just be aware of your body—if something doesn't seem right, take it seriously.

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What is the most common treatment for colon cancer?

Gary Hoffman, MD
Colorectal Surgeon
Dr. Gary Hoffman is a board certified Colorectal Surgeon and the Clinical Chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. With over 35 years of experience, Dr. Hoffman has helped to advance laparoscopic and robotic surgery for the treatment of colon and rectal cancer. Dr. Hoffman holds a BS from the University of California, Irvine, and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Vanderbilt University. He completed his surgical internship at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center and his surgical residency at Louisiana State University-Charity Hospital of New Orleans Medical Center. Dr. Hoffman is an Attending Surgeon in the Division of General Surgery and Colon and Rectal Surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at The David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Hoffman is a member of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, The Southern California Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, The American College of Surgeons, and The American Medical Association.

Gary Hoffman, MD

Colorectal Surgeon

Expert Answer

The colon, because of its location in the abdomen, is not amenable to radiation. It's near the small intestine and other vital structures and you can't radiate it or you'll get very sick. So those usually go right to surgery, and they're removed.

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Question

What can I do to reduce the chance I'll get colon cancer?

Gary Hoffman, MD
Colorectal Surgeon
Dr. Gary Hoffman is a board certified Colorectal Surgeon and the Clinical Chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. With over 35 years of experience, Dr. Hoffman has helped to advance laparoscopic and robotic surgery for the treatment of colon and rectal cancer. Dr. Hoffman holds a BS from the University of California, Irvine, and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Vanderbilt University. He completed his surgical internship at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center and his surgical residency at Louisiana State University-Charity Hospital of New Orleans Medical Center. Dr. Hoffman is an Attending Surgeon in the Division of General Surgery and Colon and Rectal Surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at The David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Hoffman is a member of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, The Southern California Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, The American College of Surgeons, and The American Medical Association.

Gary Hoffman, MD

Colorectal Surgeon

Expert Answer

Early colon screening is the best way to prevent colon cancer. When you hit 45, you need to have a colon screen, whether it's a barium enema, a virtual colonoscopy, or a regular colonoscopy.

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