Malignant neoplasm of colon
Colon cancer is a disease where abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the large intestine, which is the long tube that carries waste out of the body.
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Find General PhysiciansClinical Overview
The colon, often called the large intestine, is the final part of your digestive system where your body pulls water and salt out of food waste. Sometimes, small, mushroom-shaped growths called polyps can form on the inner lining of this tube. Most polyps are harmless, but over time, some can change and become a malignant neoplasm, which is the medical term for a cancerous tumor.
Cancer happens when the cells in the colon lining start to grow and multiply much faster than they should. Instead of dying off like healthy cells, these cancer cells stick together and form a mass that can spread into the deeper layers of the colon wall or travel to other parts of the body if not caught early.
Common Symptoms
- A lasting change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or a change in the size or shape of your stool that lasts for more than a few days.
- Seeing blood in your stool, which may look bright red or very dark and tar-like.
- Feeling like your bowel does not empty completely during a bathroom visit.
- Constant abdominal pain, gas, or cramps that do not go away.
- Unexplained weight loss or feeling very tired due to blood loss or low iron levels.