| ABOUT THE COLON AND RECTUM |
|
The colon and rectum together make up a long, muscular tube called the large intestine (sometimes called the large bowel), which is part of the body's digestive system. The colon makes up the first 5 feet of the large intestine, and the rectum the last 8 to 10 inches. Together, they store waste until it is passed out of the body. |
|
Colorectal cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer. It appears to develop more frequently in the proximal colon (which includes the cecum, ascending colon, hepatic lexure, transverse colon and splenic flexure) than in the distal colon (which includes the descending colon and sigmoid colon. Colorectal cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Depending on racial and ethnic group, colon cancer is anywhere from two to four times as prevalent as rectal cancer.
While colorectal cancer can occur in young adults, and in rare instances in teens, the disease is more common in people over the age of 50. As adults age, many develop benign polyps (tiny growths) on the inner wall of the colon and rectum. As these adenomatous polyps, or precancerous growths, grow larger, changes may occur that result in formation of a tumor. A majority of colorectal cancers are believed to develop gradually from these polyps. Early detection and removal of polyps before the cancerous changes occur may help prevent many colorectal cancers. |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
