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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Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
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What to do about liver metastasis from transverse colon cancer?

Liver metastasis in transverse colon cancer is relatively common, especially in cases where the disease has progressed. Because the transverse colon is located close to the liver region, tumors in this area can potentially metastasize to the liver via the lymphatic or blood circulation, or through local infiltration. In cases where the liver metastasis is localized, there is still an opportunity for surgical treatment involving a radical resection of the transverse colon cancer combined with partial hepatectomy. If there are multiple metastases in the liver, radical surgery may not be feasible. Initially, preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy or targeted therapy is performed. If the liver metastatic lesions can be reduced or disappear, there may still be a chance for surgical treatment afterwards.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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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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Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
47sec home-news-image

How long can one live after colon cancer surgery?

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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Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
58sec home-news-image

The most common symptoms of transverse colon cancer

The most common symptoms of transverse colon cancer mainly include abdominal pain, bloody stools, and changes in stool characteristics, such as thinner stools, which can sometimes lead to severe symptoms of intestinal obstruction. After these symptoms appear in transverse colon cancer, it is advisable to undergo a colonoscopy as soon as possible. Pathology obtained through the colonoscopy can confirm the diagnosis. Once transverse colon cancer is confirmed, it is also necessary to check for metastases to other parts of the body. For non-metastasized cases, early surgical treatment should be carried out, including a radical surgery for transverse colon cancer with lymph node dissection. Postoperative comprehensive anti-tumor treatment is generally required, involving six to eight courses of adjuvant chemotherapy. Postoperative chemotherapy aims to prevent local recurrence and distant metastasis.

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Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
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What are the symptoms of bone metastases from colon cancer?

Colon cancer generally refers to a malignant tumor that grows on the colon and typically appears in middle-aged populations. If colon cancer is not treated promptly, it can easily lead to bone metastasis. The bone metastasis of colon cancer is similar to other tumor metastases. The symptoms such as chest pain or tenderness upon pressing could be caused by bone metastasis from lung cancer. In the early stages of colon cancer, there are generally no symptoms of bone metastasis. However, once the tumor metastasizes to weight-bearing bones, thoracic vertebrae, cervical vertebrae, or lumbar vertebrae, it can result in paralysis. Patients must seek timely medical examination and treatment at a hospital to prevent the cancer cells from metastasizing.