Colon cancer

Colon cancer describes the development of a tumor in the large intestine. It is the third most common form of cancer worldwide. Colon cancer may be diagnosed through a colonoscopy, where a flexible tube with a camera at its tip is inserted into the anus of the patient. A biopsy sample of the cancerous tissue is then taken and analyzed in the lab to determine the cancer stage:

Figure 1: Colon cancer stages

Based on the cancer stage, an appropriate treatment is chosen. Treatments include surgical removal, chemo- and/or radiation therapy.