How long can one live after colon cancer surgery?

Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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If colon cancer can be treated surgically, generally, the outcomes might be quite good. It often applies to cancer in relatively early stages, with potentials to survive for over three years, five years, or even longer. Of course, there are cases of colon cancer that are discovered in later stages, where complete surgical removal is not possible, and only palliative stoma surgery can be performed. In such situations, the survival time might be within three to five years, but the exact life expectancy cannot be fully determined. Each individual's condition is different, and treatment must be adapted accordingly. Typically after surgery, treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy might be used in combination to prolong survival.

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Difference between colon polyps and colon cancer

Colon polyps and colon cancer both belong to organic tumors of the colon mucosa, but the fundamental difference is that colon polyps are mostly benign, while colon cancer is a malignant cancer of the intestines. Both colon cancer and colon polyps require examination by electronic colonoscopy for a definitive diagnosis, and further pathological examination is needed. After the detection of colon polyps, it is necessary to promptly perform radiofrequency ablation surgery under electronic colonoscopy. After the detection of colon cancer, it is necessary to complete relevant pelvic and systemic examinations, and after clarifying the local lesions, surgical removal is performed. Postoperatively, based on the size of the cancerous mass and the extent of the lesion, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be required.

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Is intermittent pain in the upper right abdomen for two months colon cancer?

Persistent dull pain in the upper right abdomen lasting two months is very likely a clinical symptom caused by colon cancer. This is often due to the lesion of colon cancer invading the intestinal mucosa, causing mucosal spasms and resulting in pain. Alternatively, the tumor may cause obstruction of the intestinal lumen, leading to intestinal obstruction, which also presents as pain clinically. This type of pain is generally characterized by persistent dull pain, especially more pronounced at night, and ordinary anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are less effective in relieving it. The pain will only subside after the lesions of colon cancer are effectively controlled. However, for dull pain in the upper right abdomen, some benign diseases, such as certain ulcerative colitis or chronic intestinal tuberculosis, should also be considered, as they can present with similar symptoms. To definitively diagnose whether the dull pain is caused by colon cancer or a benign colon condition, it is generally necessary to complete related imaging or hematological examinations. Sometimes, histopathological examinations are necessary to differentiate the diagnosis.

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What are the early symptoms of colon cancer?

The early symptoms of colon cancer mainly include discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen, which does not necessarily become more pronounced after eating and generally occurs intermittently. Some patients may also experience changes in stool shape, primarily manifested as narrower stools, or an increased frequency of bowel movements per day, leading to diarrhea. Some patients in the early stages may experience worsening of pre-existing constipation, or alternating symptoms of diarrhea and constipation. Some colon cancer patients in the early stages may experience bloody stools, or the presence of mucus, pus, and blood in the stool, which are some atypical gastrointestinal symptoms of colitis. Some patients may also experience nausea.

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Colon cancer surgical methods

The surgical approach for colon cancer should be tailored based on the specific circumstances of the patient, involving a rational, comprehensive treatment strategy. The surgical principle is that early-stage cancers should undergo curative resection, while more advanced cancers should be treated with radical surgery or extended radical surgery. Once the treatment plan is determined, the choice of surgical methods should be made comprehensively based on the patient's specific conditions. For example, in the surgery of rectal cancer in the middle and lower segments, it should be considered whether to preserve the anus or perform abdominoperineal resection based on the tumor's biological characteristics, patient's age, overall health, and any concurrent diseases. It is not that there is one fixed type of surgery; the approach should be specifically tailored based on the detailed analysis of the issues at hand.

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Late stage survival of transverse colon cancer

Late-stage colon cancer can still potentially allow for a relatively long survival time, such as living more than one year, two years, or even three to five years. Of course, this also depends on the treatment provided. Generally, it may not be possible to perform curative surgery directly in the advanced stages, but preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and so on, can be administered first. If these treatments can reduce the size of the tumor and lower its stage, there could still be a chance for surgical treatment later. Clinically, if there is no recurrence after more than five years, it is considered to have achieved a clinically curative effect. For instance, surpassing five years can possibly mean extending survival beyond ten years or even longer. However, treatment for late-stage patients needs to be adjusted as it proceeds, and it is impossible to specifically determine how long one can live.