2. Cancer of the Colon
• Leading cause of death from
cancer in US
• Twice as common in men
• Peak incidence between 50
and 70 years of age
• ½ found in rectum and
sigmoid
• Curable if discovered early
• Predisposing factors
– Chronic ulcerative colitis
– Familial polyposis (hereditary)
3. Colon Cancer
• Colonic polyps-small mass
projecting inward to lumen
• Complications:
– Ulceration from chronic
irritation
– Obstruction
– Malignancy
• Most colon cancers arise
from polyps
– Sessile – attached to wall *
– Pedunculated - stalked