Although the thought of recurring cancer might be too much to bear, it is far better to treat the situation proactively than to wait for the cancer to spread to untreatable levels. Although watching and waiting for the recurrence of cancer seems like a pessimistic endeavor, consider it nothing more than a necessary insurance policy against your longevity. Thus, you should be fully aware of the possible signs and symptoms of recurring colon cancer.
Colon Cancer
According to MedlinePlus, colon cancer is cancer that begins in either the large intestine or the rectum. Some colon cancer risk factors include a family history of the disease, the presence of Crohn's disease or colitis, or a personal history of breast or other cancers. Some general symptoms of colon cancer include blood in the stool or unexplained weight loss.
Recurring Colon Cancer
Even where colon cancer has been fully excised from the body, you must still remain vigilant in case the cancer returns. According to the American Cancer Society, recurrent cancers can reappear in the original location or in other organs throughout the body, so you must be on guard against any suspicious symptoms. Report any and all abnormalities to your attendant physician during your check-ups.
Recurrent Symptoms
According to the American Cancer Society, the recurrent symptoms of colon cancer are the same as the original symptoms: abdominal pain, alterations in bowel habits, blockage in the intestines, anemia or thin stools. If colon cancer does not regrow in the original location, it is likely to come back in the liver. Symptoms of liver cancer include abdominal pain, swollen abdomen or jaundice.
Dealing with Recurrent Symptoms
It is best to catch returning cancer early so that the probability of successfully defeating the cancer is increased. Thus, if you believe you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor immediately. When the choice is between sounding like a hypochondriac or failing to detect cancer early, the former is clearly the lesser of two evils.
Treatment
Treatment for recurring cancer depends on the specific facts of your case, but the general regimes remain the same: chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. Often, the plan is to shrink the existing tumor with chemo, followed by excision through surgery. Treatment may also include resectioning the intestines to bypass the tumor or using a stent to hold the intestine open, but these are stopgap measures that are only used when typical treatments are proving ineffective.
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