Waubonsee Community College

Understanding colon cancer, A. Richard Adrouny

eng

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Understanding colon cancer

48857549

A. Richard Adrouny

Understanding health and sickness series

The lifetime risk of colorectal cancer in the general population is 2.5 to 5 percent; it is the fourth most frequent type of cancer. Although data show that in America colorectal cancer incidence and mortality have been waning in recent decades, cancers of the colon and rectum still cause approximately 56,000 deaths annually. About 140,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. For the lay reader wishing to know more about this disease, this book gives concise information and explanations. It covers fundamental knowledge about occurrence, carcinogenesis, genetics, diagnosis, staging, prognosis, and treatment, as well as forecasting the kinds of diagnostic tests and treatments that may be developed. It reviews demographics, high-risk conditions, the sequence from bowel polyps to cancer, polyposis syndromes predisposing people to colorectal cancer, and the genetics of the disease. Discussed in full detail are the warning signs of the disease and the tests used for screening and diagnosis (fecal occult blood test, barium enema, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy). The stages of the disease are examined, along with theories of how colon cancer spreads. Two chapters focus on treatments, including surgery and chemotherapy. An entire chapter devoted to early detection and prevention discusses standard approaches, as well as such new or emerging strategies as vitamins, drugs, and genetic screening

Who gets colon cancer and why -- The colon -- How colon cancer develops -- The "look" of colon cancer -- The "feel" of colon cancer -- Stages and prognosis of colon cancer -- Surgical treatment of colon cancer -- Treatment of later stages of colon cancer -- Prevention -- The future