Colon cancer is the third most commonly

diagnosed cancer in the United States, and the

second leading cause of deaths in men and
women. Over 136,000 were diagnosed every
year. 
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that begins in
the large intestine (colon). The colon is the final
part of the digestive tract.
It usually begins as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called
polyps that form on the inside of the colon. 

Colon cancer is sometimes called colorectal cancer, which is a term that

combines colon cancer and rectal cancer, which begins in the rectum.
  In most cases, it's not clear what causes colon
cancer.  colon cancer occurs when healthy cells in
the colon develop errors in their DNA 
ETIOLOGY  when a cell's DNA is damaged and becomes
cancerous, cells continue to divide and these
defected cells form a Tumor. 
 Risk factors for colon cancer
Older age (50 yrs old)
African-American race
History of polyps
History of inflammatory bowel diseases
Family history
Low fiber, High fat diet
 lifestyle
Smoking
Alcohol
ANATOMY &
PHYSIOLOGY
Non- modifiable  Modifiable 
Age Nutrition
Heredity Bowel habits

Excess fat converts normal flora of the

intestines over time 

Fecal matter retention due to

infrequent defecation

Irritating intestinal lining

inflammation

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes
causes abscessing 
Repeating process overtime
cause dysplasia then genetic
Ulcerating lesion  mutation of cellular DNA
 Signs and symptoms
•A persistent change in your bowel habits, including
diarrhea or constipation or 
•change in the consistency of your stool
•Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
•feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely
• Pain, cramps, or gas in the abdomen 
• Pain during bowel movements
•Weakness or fatigue
•Unexplained weight loss
Stage 0
This is the earliest form of colon cancer and means it has
not grown beyond the mucosa, or the innermost layer of
the colon.
Stage 1
 colon cancer indicates the cancer has grown into the
inner layer of the colon, called the mucosa.
Stage 2
The tumor has spread throuh the colon wall to word
the serosa.
Stage 3
Tumor has spreas through near by lymph node .
Stage4
Metastasis this is where cancer cells have metastasis and
have begain invated other tiusse and organs by travelling
through the blood or lymphatics 
diagnostic findings
Fecal occult blood testing
 X-Rays 
Proctosigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy 
Carcinoembryonic antigen studies
CT colonography 
 Medical management
Targeted drug therapy
5-fluorouracil
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
Palliative care
 Surgical
management
Early-stage
Polypectomy – removing polyps during a
colonoscopy
Endoscopic mucosal resection - Larger polyps
might be removed during colonoscopy using
special tools to remove the polyp and a small
amount of the inner lining of the colon 
Minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic surgery)-
Polyps that can't be removed during a colonoscopy
may be removed using laparoscopic surgery.
Surgery for more advanced colon cancer
Partial colectomy- removing the part of your colon that
contains the cancer, along with a margin of normal tissue on
either side of the cancer.
Surgery to create a way for waste to leave your body- This
involves creating an opening in the wall of your abdomen
from a portion of the remaining bowel for the elimination of
stool into a bag that fits securely over the opening.
 Prevention
Screening colon cancer :  recommend that people with an average risk of colon cancer
consider colon cancer screening around age 50. But people with an increased risk, such as
those with a family history of colon cancer, should consider screening sooner.
Lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of colon cancer :
Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, which may
play a role in cancer prevention. 
Stop smoking.
Exercise most days of the week.
Maintain a healthy weight.
 Promoting emotional support

Nursing optimal nutrition

Maintaining
Management

Monitoring
and complications
managing
complication

Obstruction
Hemorrhage
Peritonitis
sepsis