Colon Cancer
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Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists
Lisa A. Perryman, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Colon and Rectal Surgeon & A Private Medical Practice located in the Denver Metropolitan Area, CO
About 1 in 20 people develop colon cancer in their lifetime. For most, that’ll happen after they turn 50. At Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists, board-certified colon and rectal surgeon/proctologist Lisa A. Perryman, MD, FACS, FASCRS, is an expert in the diagnosis and care of colon cancer and performs colonoscopies to remove polyps before they turn cancerous. If surgery is necessary, be assured she has a great deal of surgical training and experience, including laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer. Trust Dr. Perryman with your good health. Call the office in the Denver metropolitan area, Colorado, or schedule a consultation online.
Colon Cancer Q & A
What is colon cancer?
Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine, or colon. The colon makes up about 4-5 feet of your digestive tract. Colon cancer can be prevented and treated with routine medical care.
Nearly all cases of colorectal cancer develop from polyps. These polyps grow on the inner lining of the colon and can be small and cause little to no symptoms. Removing polyps through a procedure called a colonoscopy lessens the risk of the polyps turning into cancer.
What are the symptoms of colon cancer?
Colon cancer can be found during preventive screenings but often causes no symptoms. However, here are some signs to watch for:
- NO symptoms
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Narrowly shaped stools
- Very dark or bright red blood in your stool
- Gas, bloating, or pains in your pelvic or lower abdominal area
- Nausea or vomiting
Other symptoms include unexplained weight loss and constant tiredness. However, the most common symptom is no symptoms at all.
How do you screen for colon cancer?
Dr. Perryman takes a full medical history, performs a physical exam, and may order blood tests. If your symptoms suggest you might have colon cancer, she recommends a colonoscopy.
A colonoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure where the doctor uses a long, flexible tube, a light, and a tiny video camera to see inside your entire colon and rectum.
If she sees any suspicious polyps, she’ll use a biopsy instrument to painlessly take tissue samples to send for lab tests, and remove the polyps.
How is colon cancer treated?
If you have large polyps, which can’t be removed during a colonoscopy, you need another type of minimally invasive procedure. Some of your options include endoscopic mucosal resection, a treatment that removes large polyps along with bits of the lining on the colon and rectum.
Laparoscopic surgery is another alternative to remove large polyps. This procedure is performed by making small incisions in your abdomen, inserting instruments with attached cameras that show your colon on a video monitor, and removing the polyps.
If the cancer has spread, other, more invasive procedures are needed, such as removing part of your colon.
Colon cancer can be avoided – and treated – when you rely on the patient-focused, specialized care at Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists. Call or book a consultation online.
