Colorectal Cancer
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or the rectum. Colon cancer and rectal cancer are often grouped together because they have many features in common. Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths are called polyps.
Polyps are quite common, especially as you get older. Most polyps are benign, or noncancerous. Some types of polyps can change into cancer over time (usually over many years). The chance of a polyp turning into cancer depends on the type of polyp it is.
Types
Most colorectal cancers are adenocarcinomas. These cancers start in cells that make mucus to lubricate the inside of the colon and rectum. Some subtypes of adenocarcinoma, such as signet ring and mucinous, may have a worse prognosis (outlook) than other subtypes of adenocarcinoma.
Other, much less common types of tumors can also start in the colon and rectum. These include:
- Carcinoid tumors. These start from special hormone-making cells in the intestine.
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) start from nerve cells in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. Some are benign (not cancer). These tumors are most commonly found in the stomach and small intestine. They are not commonly found in the colon or rectum.
- Lymphomas are cancers of immune system cells. They mostly start in lymph nodes, but they can also start in the colon, rectum, or other organs.
- Sarcomas can start in blood vessels, muscle layers, or other connective tissues in the wall of the colon and rectum. Sarcomas of the colon or rectum are rare.
Symptoms
Many people with colon cancer don't have symptoms at first. When symptoms appear, they'll likely depend on the cancer's size and where it is in the large intestine.
Symptoms of colon cancer can include:
- A change in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation
- Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
- Ongoing discomfort in the belly area, such as cramps, gas or pain
- A feeling that the bowel doesn’t empty all the way during a bowel movement
- Weakness or tiredness
- Losing weight without trying
Symptoms
Many people with colon cancer don't have symptoms at first. When symptoms appear, they'll likely depend on the cancer's size and where it is in the large intestine.
Symptoms of colon cancer can include:
- A change in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation
- Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
- Ongoing discomfort in the belly area, such as cramps, gas or pain
- A feeling that the bowel doesn’t empty all the way during a bowel movement
- Weakness or tiredness
- Losing weight without trying
Causes (and risk factors)
Age
The risk of colorectal cancer increases after age 50. Most cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed after age 50.
Family history of colorectal cancer
Having a parent, brother, sister, or child with colorectal cancer doubles a person's risk of colorectal cancer.
Personal history
Having a personal history of the following conditions increases the risk of colorectal cancer:
- Previous colorectal cancer
- High-risk adenomas (colorectal polyps that are 1 centimeter or larger in size or that have cells that look abnormal under a microscope).
- Ovarian cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
Inherited risk
The risk of colorectal cancer is increased when certain gene changes linked to familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC or Lynch Syndrome) are inherited.
Alcohol
Drinking 3 or more alcoholic beverages per day increases the risk of colorectal cancer. Drinking alcohol is also linked to the risk of forming large colorectal adenomas (benign tumors).
Cigarette smoking
Cigarette smoking is linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer and death from colorectal cancer.
Race
Black individuals have an increased risk of colorectal cancer and death from colorectal cancer compared to other races.
Obesity
Obesity is linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer and death from colorectal cancer.
Staging
Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ)
In stage 0 colon cancer, abnormal cells are found in the mucosa (innermost layer) of the colon wall. These abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Stage 0 is also called carcinoma in situ.itu). In stage 0, there is no evidence of cancer cells or non-cancerous abnormal cells breaking out of the part of the breast in which they started, or getting through to or invading neighboring normal tissue.
Stage I
In stage I colon cancer, cancer has formed in the mucosa (innermost layer) of the colon wall and has spread to the submucosa (layer of tissue next to the mucosa) or to the muscle layer of the colon wall.
Stage II
Stage II colon cancer is divided into stages IIA, IIB, and IIC.
- Stage IIA: Cancer has spread through the muscle layer of the colon wall to the serosa (outermost layer) of the colon wall.
- Stage IIB: Cancer has spread through the serosa (outermost layer) of the colon wall to the tissue that lines the organs in the abdomen (visceral peritoneum).
- Stage IIC: Cancer has spread through the serosa (outermost layer) of the colon wall to nearby organs.
Stage III
Stage III colon cancer is divided into stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC.
- Stage IIIA: Cancer has spread through the mucosa (innermost layer) of the colon wall to the submucosa (layer of tissue next to the mucosa) or to the muscle layer of the colon wall. Cancer has spread to one to three nearby lymph nodes, or cancer cells have formed in tissue near the lymph nodes; or through the mucosa (innermost layer) of the colon wall to the submucosa (layer of tissue next to the mucosa). Cancer has spread to four to six nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage IIIB: Cancer has spread through the muscle layer of the colon wall to the serosa (outermost layer) of the colon wall or has spread through the serosa to the tissue that lines the organs in the abdomen (visceral peritoneum). Cancer has spread to one to three nearby lymph nodes, or cancer cells have formed in tissue near the lymph nodes; or to the muscle layer or to the serosa (outermost layer) of the colon wall. Cancer has spread to four to six nearby lymph nodes; or through the mucosa (innermost layer) of the colon wall to the submucosa (layer of tissue next to the mucosa) or to the muscle layer of the colon wall. Cancer has spread to seven or more nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage IIIC: Cancer has spread through the serosa (outermost layer) of the colon wall to the tissue that lines the organs in the abdomen (visceral peritoneum). Cancer has spread to four to six nearby lymph nodes; or through the muscle layer of the colon wall to the serosa (outermost layer) of the colon wall or has spread through the serosa to the tissue that lines the organs in the abdomen (visceral peritoneum). Cancer has spread to seven or more nearby lymph nodes; or through the serosa (outermost layer) of the colon wall to nearby organs. Cancer has spread to one or more nearby lymph nodes, or cancer cells have formed in tissue near the lymph nodes.
Stage IV
Stage IV colon cancer is divided into stages IVA, IVB, and IVC.
- Stage IVA: Cancer has spread to one area or organ that is not near the colon, such as the liver, lung, ovary, or a distant lymph node.
- Stage IVB: Cancer has spread to more than one area or organ that is not near the colon, such as the liver, lung, ovary, or a distant lymph node.
- Stage IVC: Cancer has spread to the tissue that lines the wall of the abdomen and may have spread to other areas or organs.
Stage IV colon cancer is also called metastatic colon cancer. Metastatic cancer happens when cancer cells travel through the lymphatic system or blood and form tumors in other parts of the body. The metastatic tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary tumor. For example, if colon cancer spreads to the liver, the cancer cells in the liver are actually colon cancer cells. The disease is called metastatic colon cancer, not liver cancer.
5-Year Survival Rate
At a glance:
| Estimated new cases in 2024 | 154,270 |
| % of all new cancer cases | 7.6% |
| Estimated deaths in 2024 | 52,900 |
| % of all cancer deaths | 8.6% |
| 5-year relative survival (2014–2020) | 65.4% |
How Do We Treat Breast Cancer Holistically?
Colon cancer begins in the large intestine (colon), the digestive tract's final part. While conventional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can be effective, they often come with significant side effects that can impact quality of life. Our integrative approach aims to target cancer cells while supporting your immune system and overall well-being.
Our Integrative Treatment Approach
At Infuze MD, we create personalized treatment plans that may include:
- Hyperthermia therapy: Using precisely controlled heat to target cancer cells while supporting immune function
- High-dose vitamin C: Administered intravenously to help combat cancer cells
- Mistletoe therapy: A natural immune system modulator with anti-cancer properties
- Ozone therapy: To increase oxygen levels and support the body’s healing mechanisms
- Targeted immunotherapy: Enhancing your immune system’s ability to fight cancer
- Nutritional support: Personalized dietary plans to optimize your body’s healing potential
Comprehensive Support Therapies
Our program also includes supportive therapies to enhance treatment outcomes:
- Detoxification protocols
- Mind-body emotional wellness counseling
- Lymphatic drainage massage
- Acupuncture for pain management
- Nutritional counseling
- IV nutrient therapy