Cancer Articles (Dr. S.N White)

Can the body function without a large portion of the intestines?  A person has about 20 feet of small intestine and 5 feet of large intestine (the large intestine is larger in diameter than the small intestine, thus its name). He can live quite well without a portion of his small intestine and without his entire large intestine ( colon ). Most digestion actually takes place before food reaches the colon.The colon's function is to absorb the water from the already digested material and to transport waste through its length and store it until it is ready to be expelled from the body. The remaining portions of the colon learn to assume some of the water absorption role of the intestine that was removed. Even though to a layman the removal of a portion of the small intestine or even all of the colon and rectum sounds as though it would make it impossible for the body to function, the fact is that after successful surgery the body adjusts to the loss of the large or small intestine an...

Is cancer of the small intestine common?  Cancer of the small intestine is much less common than those of the nearby organs: esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and colon. Cancers of the small intestine are almost always treatable and sometimes curable. How are cancers of the small intestine staged?  There is no specific staging system for this kind of cancer. Cell type is a major factor in determining treatment. What are the cell types of cancer of the small intestine?  There are three major types: • Adenocarcinoma is the most common and usually produces symptoms of obstruction of the bowel. • Lymphomas also produce symptoms of bowel obstruction as well as bleeding. The majority of these tumors are non-Hodgkin's lymphomas .  • Leiomyosarcomas may reach large size before diagnosis. Symptoms include bleeding and obstruction as well as weight loss, fever, and abdominal pain. How is cancer of the small intestine treated?   Cancer of the small inte...

What is the CEA test? Research is under way to discover specific antigens, or biological markers, that might indicate the presence of colorectal cancer . One of these antigens, carcinoembroyonic antigen or CEA, may be found in greater amounts in the blood of patients with colorectal cancer. It has been suggested that this marker may be useful in showing at an early stage whether the cancer has recurred in some patients who had been treated for colorectal cancer previously. However, this test cannot be used alone in diagnosing colorectal cancer. What are some of the symptoms of a tumor in the rectum or colon?  Rectal bleeding, red blood in the stool, jet black stools, a change in bowel habits or the size of the stool, alternating constipation and diarrhea, crampy abdominal pains, weakness, loss of weight, and loss of appetite. Sometimes you will see a streak of blood in the stool only once. It is important that any sign be checked by a doctor. If tumors are found, must th...

What is a sigmoidoscope? This is an instrument which enables the doctor to view about 12 inches of the intestinal tract through the rectum. This is the area where polyps and cancers are most usually found. Small polyps can be removed with this instrument in the doctor's office with general or local anesthetics. The sigmoidoscope also allows a small portion of tissue to be extracted from the wall of the colon for laboratory testing. The procedure using the sigmoidoscope is called a sigmoidoscopy or proctosigmoidoscopy and should be included by your doctor as part of your annual physical exam if you are over 40 years of age, or earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer . What causes tumors to form in the colon?  The causes are unknown, but it is suspected that heredity as well as diet may play a role in some cancers of the colon. Conditions such as polyps, ulcerative colitis, and colitis also may be causes. Periodic checkups with a rectal examination make it possib...

What is a polyp? A polyp is a growth originating from the mucous membranes of the colon (polyps also occur in the bladder , uterus, nose, etc.). They are very common, occurring in 10 to 15 percent of all adults. Usually they cause few symptoms and are most often found during routine intestinal examinations. Cure, through removal, entails little surgical risk. If cancer is found in the polyp, the area surrounding it is removed. Painless rectal bleeding is the most frequent symptom of a polyp. Because some polyps have a tendency to become cancerous, their removal is recommended by many doctors. How do doctors remove polyps from colon? This depends on where the polyp is located. If it is within 8 inches of the rectal opening, it can be removed with a sigmoidoscope through the rectum either burned off or clipped and removed through the rectum. With improved techniques of colonoscopy almost any polyp with a "stalk" can be removed through a colonoscope. Some will still r...

What is the colon? The colon, also called the large intestine or bowel , is the final 5 to 7 feet of the intestinal tract. It starts at the right lower part of the abdomen and, defying the laws of gravity, continues upward on the right side of the abdomen, close to the liver under the ribs (this section is known as the ascending colon). It makes a left turn and crosses to the left portion of the abdomen (this 2-to-1/2-foot portion is known as the transverse colon). The next portion heads down the left side of the abdomen to the pelvis (called the descending colon). The final section, which is S-shaped (the sigmoid colon), and the final 8 or 10 inches located in the pelvis behind the urinary bladder, are known as the rectum, with the final 2 inches being referred to as the anal region. The colon joins the small intestines to the rectum. The colon and rectum form the lower end of the digestive tract. What is the small intestine?  The small intestine, or bowel, is part of the ...

Intestinal Cancer Tumors in the colon are common. Although the majority are not malignant, cancers of the colon are the most frequent in the intestinal tract. If a tumor of the colon is suspected, the methods for diagnosing it are readily available and highly accurate. Unlike cancer of the stomach, cancers of the colon can usually be effectively removed and the long term outlook is much better. Because these are growths in the wall and passageway for stool, they cause blockage of the stool passage and they bleed. Any change in bowel habit, cramps or bleeding in the stool requires investigation for the possibility of a colon tumor. Certain innocent tumors of the colon appear to have the potential for becoming cancerous. The surgical techniques and methods for managing these tumors are well established. How can you know that there is a tumor in the colon?  Sometimes the tumor can be felt by a digital examination of the rectum. At other times the physician can see the tumor th...