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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last several inches of the colon. Together, they're often referred to as colorectal cancers.
Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Over time some of these polyps become colon cancers.
Polyps may be small and produce few, if any, symptoms. For this reason, doctors recommend regular screening tests to help prevent colon cancer by identifying polyps before they become colon cancer.
- Compton C, et al. Colon cancer. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:1477.
- What you need to know about cancer of the colon and rectum. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/colon-and-rectal/allpages/print. Accessed July 2, 2009.
- Colon cancer. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/colon.pdf. Accessed July 2, 2009.
- Cappell MS. Pathophysiology, clinical presentation and management of colon cancer. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2008;37:1.
- Wilkes G, et al. Colon, rectal and anal cancers. Seminars in Oncology Nursing. 2009:25:32.
- Distress management. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/distress.pdf. Accessed July 7, 2009.
- Levin B, et al. Screening and surveillance for the early detection of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps, 2008: A joint guideline from the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American College of Radiology. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2008;58:1.
- Colon cancer screening (Colorectal). Medicare.gov. http://www.medicare.gov/health/coloncancer.asp. Accessed July 7, 2009.
- Young MC. Colon cancer. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/147305686-4/0/1494/0.html. Accessed July 2, 2009.
- Elwood PC, et al. Aspirin, salicylates and cancer. The Lancet. 2009;373:1301.
- Rex DK, et al. American College of Gastroenterology guidelines for colorectal cancer screening 2008. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2009;104:739.
