Colon Cancer

What Types of Colon Cancer Can Occur?

The most common form of colon cancer is adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinomas begin in the colon’s lining as polyps. Similarly, rectal adenocarcinomas start in the lining of the rectum.

However, several rare forms of colorectal cancer also exist. These malignancies are:

• Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): These tumors begin in the muscle tissues rather than the lining of the digestive tract. Often, they begin as noncancerous (benign) growths but eventually mutate into cancerous forms called sarcomas.
• Lymphomas: Lymphomas begin in the lymph nodes of the body, including the lymphatic tissue in the colon or rectum.
• Carcinoids: These tumors form in hormone-producing cells in the large intestine. Unfortunately, these tumors usually exhibit no symptoms.
• Turcot Syndrome: A rare genetic cancer, Turcot Syndrome results from mutations in the MLH1, MSH2, and APC genes. This syndrome can also give rise to brain tumors.
• Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS): Another genetic form of cancer, PJS is the result of mutations on a tumor suppressant gene, chromosome 19. Patients with PJS usually have dark skin moles and multiple polyps at some time during their lives.
• Familial colorectal cancer (FCC): While 15% of adenocarcinomas occur most frequently in patients with a family history of colorectal cancer, familial colorectal cancer is a different but rare genetic condition.
• Juvenile polyposis coli: Most colon cancers occur in people 50 and over. However, this rare genetic disease begins in childhood starting with mutations in several cancer susceptibility genes. Children with this disease usually present with polyps throughout the gastrointestinal tract.

What Are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer?

Although most symptoms aren’t noticeable until colon cancer is fairly advanced, people who are 45 and over, as well as people with one or more risk factors, should be on the alert for any of these symptoms:

• Changes in bowel movements: Narrow stools, diarrhea, constipation, incontinence, and a failure to empty completely can be signs to keep an eye on. If these conditions do not resolve themselves in a few days, a visit to the doctor would be a prudent move.
• Blood in the stool: Although blood in the stool can result from hemorrhoids, tears in the anus (anal fissures), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis, it’s usually a good idea to see your doctor if treatment for these other conditions does not stop the bleeding. Taking too much iron as a supplement or eating red foods, such as tomatoes and beets, can also cause the stool to take on a red or blackish color.
• Vomiting: Vomiting that persists beyond the length of a typical virus could indicate the presence of colorectal cancer. See your doctor if the condition persists.
• Unexplained weight loss: Colon cancer or other gastrointestinal cancers often interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. If you notice an unintentional weight loss, make an appointment with your doctor for a screening.
• Anemia: If you feel so tired that sleep doesn’t relieve your exhaustion – or if you experience shortness of breath – you could have anemia, a condition in which your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to transport oxygen to other areas of your body. Anemia is one of the symptoms of colorectal cancer, so see your doctor for a complete blood count (CBC) to rule out anemia. If your test reveals that you have anemia but no other condition that could cause it, it’s best to schedule follow-up tests to rule out colorectal cancer.
• Bloating or abdominal pain: Frequent bloating, as well as abdominal pain or pelvic pain, is one of the signs of colon cancer. In women, it can also be a symptom of ovarian or other pelvic cancer. If the bloating or pain doesn’t resolve in a few days, make an appointment with your doctor to determine the cause.

How Do Doctors Diagnose Colon Cancer?

Doctors use a variety of screening procedures to diagnose colon cancer. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor might choose one of the following screening options:

• Colonoscopy: A routine screening procedure for those at high risk or 45 and older, a colonoscopy is the gold standard in testing for colon cancer. After a patient empties their bowels completely with the aid of a strong laxative, the doctor administers a sedative. After the patient is well-sedated, the doctor will insert a narrow, flexible tube into the anus, passing it gently up through the colon to check for cancerous lesions or precancerous polyps. If the doctor finds a polyp, they can easily remove it to prevent future cancers. For that reason, doctors make this procedure their screening tool of choice for early detection and treatment.
• Antigen testing: If the colonoscopy indicates that you have cancer, the doctor might test your blood for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). This substance can help the doctor determine which stage your cancer is in and determine whether you are responding to treatments.
• Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) or guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT): These tests check for hidden blood in the stool. For example, if a patient has unexplained anemia, but the doctor cannot see blood in the stool, this test can detect minute amounts of blood, possibly from cancer.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy: Using a short, flexible scope, the doctor will check inside a patient’s rectum and the lower part of the colon. This outpatient procedure usually does not require sedation, but it does require an enema or laxative before the doctor administers the test for a better view. In addition, the doctor will pump small amounts of gas into the colon to improve the view even more.
• Fecal DNA test: Fecal matter always contains cells shed from the colon’s lining. A fecal DNA test identifies any mutations in these cells, indicating the presence of a large polyp or cancer.
• Virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography): Instead of inserting a flexible tube into the colon, doctors give patients contrast dye both orally and rectally after the patient undergoes treatment with a laxative or an enema to empty the colon. Like in flexible sigmoidoscopy, the doctor will introduce gas into the rectum to provide a better view. Then, the doctor will perform a CT imaging test to show the presence of any polyps or tumors.

What Are the Stages of Colon Cancer?

Stages are numerical indicators of the progression of colon cancer. They include:

• Stage 0: The disease has not progressed into actual cancer. It is still in its precancerous form as a polyp or polyps, often with blood in the stool. Usually, doctors remove these lesions during a patient’s colonoscopy.
• Stage I: Stage I tumors have grown into the intestinal wall but have not spread into nearby tissue or lymph nodes.
• Stage II: Stage II tumors have spread beyond the intestinal wall into adjacent tissues. However, it has not reached the patient’s lymph nodes.
• Stage III: By this time, colon cancer has spread into the lymph nodes and even more nearby tissues or organs in the abdomen.
• Stage IV: At this stage, what started as colorectal cancer has now spread into distant organs and lymph nodes, such as the lungs, liver, or ovaries.

How Can I Prevent Colon Cancer?

Eating a healthy diet rich in natural antioxidants, fibrous vegetables, and fruits and maintaining an optimum weight go a long way toward preventing colon cancer and other cancers.

Avoiding tobacco, cutting back on alcohol, and getting more exercise also help.

Additionally, it’s essential to maintain regular checkups, including routine screenings, such as colonoscopies and other tests.

Catching precancerous polyps before they become cancerous is critical in preventing colorectal cancer.

Which Natural Therapies Can Treat Colon Cancer?

A variety of non-toxic therapies can help doctors treat colon cancer.

Whether you’re looking for an alternative cancer treatment or want to combine traditional cancer therapies with chemotherapy alternatives, the caring team at Brio-Medical can help find the best way forward for you.

Here are some of the colorectal cancer treatment options we offer:

Natural Immunotherapy

Natural immunotherapy uses your body’s own immune system to fight off colon cancer. Since cancer cells produce proteins that block your immune system’s cells from doing their job, immunotherapy can provide a workaround for your body to begin working against cancer as it should.

Using peptides or other substances that occur naturally in the human body, doctors can enhance the immune system, reducing oxidative damage and allowing your cells to recognize and destroy harmful cancer cells.

Resveratrol IV Therapy

Studies show that resveratrol, a polyphenol found in plant products such as grapes, peanuts, and red wine, among others, can induce apoptosis (cell death) in tumor cells. Intravenous therapy allows doctors to control the amount of this cancer-killing substance, allowing them to tailor the treatment to each individual patient.

Curcumin IV Therapy

Curcumin, also a polyphenol derived from plants, is found in turmeric, a popular ingredient in Asian and other cuisines. It, too, is a powerful cancer fighter, inducing cell death and stopping tumors from forming new blood vessels that can fuel metastasis and tumor growth.

Ozone Therapies

Research has demonstrated ozone’s power to damage cancer cells. When ozone is introduced into cells, oxidative chemical reactions damage the cell membrane, causing cell death. However, in normal cells, these reactions activate a nuclear factor, NFR2, that synthesizes antioxidant molecules, undoing ozone’s destructive effect.

For that reason, the Brio-Medical team has harnessed that cancer-killing effect in three integrative colon cancer treatments: IV ozone therapy, ozone rectal insufflation, and ozone saunas.

Quercetin IV Therapy

A 2015 study demonstrated quercetin’s ability to inhibit colon cancer by inducing cell death (apoptosis) and cell-cycle arrest, thus hindering its growth. Brio-Medical offers intravenous treatments with this nature-sourced bioflavonoid, allowing our doctors to regulate and customize this potent treatment to each patient’s disease progression.

Discover How Holistic Medicine Can Help You Fight Colon Cancer

At Brio-Medical, we believe in using therapies that harness the power of nature to help your body fight off cancer.

If you’ve recently received a diagnosis of colon cancer or are disappointed with traditional cancer treatments, we’re here to help. Schedule a free consultation with our team today.

Colon Cancer External References:

“Colorectal (Colon) Cancer.” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14501-colorectal-colon-cancer. Accessed September 2, 2022

“Cancer Stat Facts: Colorectal Cancer.” National Cancer Institute, https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html. Accessed September 2, 2022.

“Types of Colorectal Cancer.” Stanford Medicine Health Care, https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/cancer/colorectal-cancer/types.html. Accessed September 3, 2022.

Oluyemi, Aderemi, and Nicholas Awolola. “Colonic Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Presented as Multiple Polyposis at Colonoscopy in a Nigerian Man: Case Report of a Rare Occurrence and Brief Review of Literature.” Journal of global oncology vol. 3,4 418-422. 15 Jun. 2016, doi:10.1200/JGO.2016.005124

“Colon Cancer: Diagnosis.” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353674. Accessed September 3, 2022.

“Colorectal Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)–Patient Version.” National Cancer Institute, https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/colorectal-prevention-pdq. Accessed September 2, 2022.

Huanga, Xuan-mei et al. “Natural products for treating colorectal cancer: A mechanistic review.” Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy vol 117, 109142 (2019), doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109142

Baeza-Noci, J. et al. “Ozone: A Potential New Chemotherapy.” International Journal of Molecular Science vol 22, 11796 (2021). doi: /10.3390/ijms222111796

Zhang, Xiang-An et al. “Quercetin induces human colon cancer cells apoptosis by inhibiting the nuclear factor-kappa B Pathway.” Pharmacognosy magazine vol. 11,42 (2015): 404-9. doi:10.4103/0973-1296.153096