{"id":3260,"date":"2026-04-09T17:24:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T11:54:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yashodahealthcare.com\/blogs\/?p=3260"},"modified":"2026-04-09T17:25:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T11:55:05","slug":"colon-cancer-warning-signs-stages-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yashodahealthcare.com\/blogs\/colon-cancer-warning-signs-stages-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Colon Cancer: Warning Signs, Stages, and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

Colon Cancer or Colorectal Cancer is the cancer that starts in the inner lining of the colon and rectum. The colon makes up about five to six feet of the large intestine and is a part of the digestive tract to move waste (stool) to the rectum to be excreted out of the body through the anus. Since it makes up a significant part of our digestive system, the cancer cells in the colon or rectum (or both) can seriously alter a person\u2019s life.
Colon cancer usually starts as a polyp (small outgrowths in the tissue lining the colon and rectum). These polyps are not cancerous; however, they can turn into cancer over time, if not treated before. Removing precancerous polyps can stop the cancer before it spreads further. However, if gone unnoticed, these polyps can grow into malignant cells and thereby take the shape of colon cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warning Signs & Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most symptoms of colon cancer may seem to be like very day-to-day problems. It is only when they become persistent, painful, recurring or alarming, that a person should not think twice before seeking medical attention.
Abdominal pain, bloating, blood in stool, constipation or diarrhoea, feeling of residual excreta in the abdomen, persistent tiredness and\/or unexplained weight loss are some of the most common signs and symptoms.
Causes of colon cancer may be genetically endowed, or can be due to lifestyle habits such as tobacco or alcohol consumption, obesity, susceptibility to more colon polyps, or inheriting certain diseases from one\u2019s family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stages of Colon Cancer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Colon cancer can be divided into four stages:
Stage 0 –<\/strong> It is identified by the presence of precancerous polyps in the inner lining of colon or rectum
Stage 1 –<\/strong> Presence of a cancerous polyp in the colon wall
Stage 2 <\/strong>is typically divided in two sub-stages
2A – Cancer has spread through most of the colon wall except the outer layer
2B – Spread of cancer in the outer colon wall
Stage 3 –<\/strong> Spread of cancer to colon wall, lymph nodes and outer layer of the colon
Stage 4 –<\/strong> Spread of cancer in larger, distant areas of the body. This could be in distant lymph nodes or spreading through liver, lungs or ovaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diagnosing Colon Cancer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Diagnosis of a colon cancer takes place after results from blood tests (including CBC\/CMP) are obtained. CT scans, MRI, abdominal ultrasound etc. are conducted to get X-ray and detailed reports. A gastroenterologist may conduct a diagnostic colonoscopy to detect the cancer. They may remove a small piece of tissue to examine it under a microscope and assess the cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surgery is the most common treatment method for colon cancer:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n