Colon cancer is common, with more than 140,000 people in the United States diagnosed every year. With advances in colon cancer screening and early detection, colon cancer survival rates are on the rise. Management of colon cancer requires a multidisciplinary approach, including a surgeon. Ronald Ambe, MD, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon at Texas Surgical Care in Kingwood, Texas, who specializes in colon cancer surgery. To schedule a surgical consultation with Dr. Ambe, call the office or book an appointment through the online booking tool.
Colon cancer, also sometimes called colorectal cancer, refers to cancer that starts in your colon, which is the last segment of your digestive tract.
Your colon is responsible for processing and eliminating the food material your body can’t absorb. It also reabsorbs water and electrolytes from indigestible food and creates and absorbs some vitamins.
Without including skin cancer, colon cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women and the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
During the early stages of colon cancer, you may not experience any symptoms. As the cancer progresses, your symptoms may include:
The types of symptoms you experience with colon cancer may also vary depending on the portion of your large intestines affected by the cancer and the size of the cancerous tissue.
Because colon cancer is prevalent and potentially deadly when not detected early, it’s recommended that both men and women start colon cancer screenings at age 50. However, you may benefit from earlier screening if you have:
You have many options for your colon cancer screenings, including colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, stool tests, and CT colonography.
In addition to looking for signs of colon cancer, these screening tests also look for polyps, which are growths that develop on the lining of your colon and rectum.
Though most polyps are benign, they can become cancerous. Finding and removing polyps may decrease your risk of developing colon cancer.
Dr. Ambe at Texas Surgical Care works closely with your gastroenterologist, radiologist, and oncologist to help you get the care you need. The specifics of your colon cancer treatment plan depend on the location of the cancer, stage of your cancer, and your overall health.
However, surgery is the standard treatment for colon cancer. Dr. Ambe specializes in colon cancer surgery and uses minimally invasive techniques that result in a faster recovery and less pain, including robotic surgery using the da Vinci® surgical system.
To schedule a consultation at Texas Surgical Care to discuss your colon cancer surgical options, call the office or request an appointment online today.