Colon Cancer Signs & Survival Rate | Colonoscopy in Dallas & Fort Worth, Texas

What is colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is an endoscopic nonsurgical procedure used in checking inside the colon for any infections or abnormalities.

A patient may be experiencing chronic pains in the stomach, bleeding through the anus, sudden weight loss or some other form of abnormalities in the bowel. A doctor will need to perform a colonoscopy procedure on the patient to be able to diagnose the cause of the pain, infection, and other abnormalities.

You may be experiencing any of these symptoms and you don’t know what exactly is wrong with you, undergoing a colonoscopy will help your doctor know exactly what is wrong with you and how to treat it.

How is Colonoscopy done?

A colonoscopy procedure is done by the use of a colonoscope (a flexible tube) attached with a tiny camera at its tip.

You will need to lie down on your left side on a procedure table and shift your knee towards your chest. Your doctor will first sedate you before commencing the procedure so that you will feel relaxed and not feel much pain.

Then your doctor will insert a colonoscope into your colon through the rectum. The camera that is attached to the tip of the colonoscope is connected to a monitor through which the doctor sees the inside of your colon.

Your doctor will then pump in carbon dioxide or air into your colon through the colonoscope to inflate the colon for a clearer view of the inside.

Your doctor will thoroughly examine the inside of the colon for any infections or abnormalities that may be available your colon. Your doctor will also examine your colon to know if there are any abnormal tissues that need to be taken out. Your doctor may decide to take some samples of your tissue for a more thorough examination.

A colonoscopy procedure takes an average of 30 – 60 minutes to complete.

How painful is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy procedure is generally a less painful procedure. You are given a sedative before the procedure so that you shouldn’t feel pain.

After the procedure is completed, you may feel drowsy due to the effect of the sedative. It normally wears off after a few hours.

You may experience frequent passing out of gas after the procedure. Your stomach may also feel bloated. The passing out of gas is advantageous as it helps to clear out the air from your colon.

In rare cases, you may experience frequent abdominal pains or flow of excess blood. You should inform your doctor about this.

You can resume your normal daily activities the next day after the procedure.

Is colonoscopy dangerous?

Colonoscopy is generally a safe procedure. Risks or complications are very minimal. However, just like other medical procedures, there are possible complications that may arise. These complications are very rare.

Colonoscopy procedure where an abnormal tissue (polyp) is not removed has extremely low complications rate at approximately 0.35%. A procedure whereby abnormal tissue is removed has higher rates of complications of approximately 2.3%.

The complications that may occur during colonoscopy include:

• Bleeding
• Reaction to the anesthetic used
• Infection
• Perforation or a tear in the colon or rectum wall
• Post-polypectomy syndrome

What are the signs that you should have a colonoscopy?

If you are experiencing any of these signs listed below, it may be that you have colon cancer, infection of abnormalities in your colon. You need to see your doctor to perform a colonoscopy procedure on you to diagnose what actually is the problem.

If you have one or more of these signs, you may need to undergo a colonoscopy:

• Weakness or fatigue
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Sudden weight loss
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Abdominal pains, bloating, excessive gas
• Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
• Irregular changes in stool
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Frequent urges to defecate

What are the early warning signs of colon cancer?

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that grows in the colon. It usually develops as little, noncancerous bunches of cells that are known as benign polyps.

Benign polyps are flat or knob-like growths that are formed on the lining of the colon. At an early stage, they are noncancerous, they become cancerous over time when they are not removed at their early stage. A cancerous polyp is known as colon cancer

Older adults of 50 or above are more at risk of developing colon cancer. However, younger adults with certain medical conditions could develop colon cancer.

Most people that have colon cancer may not know at an early stage, this is why if you have a higher risk factor of developing colon cancer, you should talk to your doctor to know the right time to go for colonoscopy check-up.

Risk factors of developing colon cancer include smoking, older adults of 50 and above, African-American race, obesity, family history of colon cancer, inherited syndromes, unhealthy diet, excessive intake of alcohol, type II diabetes, inactive lifestyle or history of inflammatory bowel disease.

Below are the early warning signs of colon cancer:

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Changes in bowel habits
• Cramping pains
• Blood in the stool
• Unexplained weight loss
• A change in the girth of stool
• A feeling of incomplete stool evacuation
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Unusual stomach pain

How long do you live if you have colon cancer?

Colon cancer has four stages which are stage I, II, III, IV. The stage IV colon cancer is the most severe stage of them all. At stage IV, the cancer has spread from your colon to other organs such as the liver, lungs, lymph nodes, or other delicate organs.

Symptoms at this stage of the cancer may, however, remain the same as symptoms experienced at the previous stages.

Treatment of stage IV colon cancer is difficult and may most likely return after being treated. Colon cancer may likely reoccur within the first 5 years after it has been treated.

The stage IV colon cancer does not have a good prognosis and the survival rate is estimated at 5 years for about 14% of patients. This means that only 14% of patients with stage IV colon cancer have the tendency to live 5 years more. This is, however, an estimate as no one can predict what can or may happen in any individual. Your doctor cannot predict exactly what will happen to you, he/she only give you a rough estimate and prediction.

There are some other factors that may determine how long you may live if you have stage IV colon cancer. These factors include your age, your health condition, the kind of treatment you undergo, and the areas in your body where the cancer has spread to.

Also, keep in mind that technology is advancing by the day and medical practitioners and scientists are developing better long-lasting treatment options for colon cancer.

Can you survive colon cancer?

If your colon cancer has developed to a stage IV colon cancer, survival rate is, however, very slim. Nobody, not even a specialist can say for certain if you will survive or not. It is only estimated that 14% of stage IV cancer patients have the tendency of living for another 5 years after being diagnosed with stage IV cancer.

Depending on your age, your health condition, how well you are being treated, the areas in your body where the cancer has spread to, you may live longer but this is not guaranteed.

What is colon cancer pain like?

If you have colon cancer, you may feel one or more of the symptoms of colon cancer. You may experience frequent tiredness even when you didn’t engage in any strenuous activities. You may experience frequent vomiting or constipation. You may start to experience an excess weight loss that you can’t explain how it came about. When you stool, you will see blood in the stool. The blood could be thick and dark-reddish. You may also experience diarrhea, frequent cramping in your stomach, or unusual stomach pain.

About Kediamd.com, Best Colonoscopy Center & Doctor in Dallas & Fort Worth, Tx

Dr. Prashant Kedia is a therapeutic endoscopist and gastroenterologist practicing in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Prashant Kedia is from New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated with a Medical Degree from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine. He further attended the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia where he completed his residency in internal medicine.

Subsequently, after he completed his residency in internal medicine, he further attended the Icahn School of Medicine in Mount Sinai where he completed a General Gastroenterology fellowship with an additional year of Advanced Endoscopy fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical Center.

He has dedicated a significant part of his life studying to be a Therapeutic Endoscopist. He has served in Dallas/Fort Worth area for over 4 years and has been practicing for several years with a great track record.

He has performed well over 3000 various complex endoscopic procedures and they were all successful. Between the 2016-2018 he was voted the best doctor in Dallas by D Magazine.

He has an excellent reputation for performing colonoscopy procedures and every one of his patients are completely happy with his medical services. He listens to all his patients are provide them with the best medical services and treatments.

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