When we go to a surgeon, we often don’t ask them how many surgery he has done for the same disease but may be we should.
For colon cancer, there is in fact a specialization fellowship to become a colorectal surgeon. A recent analysis of 17 studies from nine countries has shown that the quality of the surgeon and the surgery is associated with better outcome.
How can you evaluate the surgeon? Read the rest of this entry »
Colorectal cancer develops with few, if any, symptoms at first.
It depends a little on the location of the colon cancer. If the cancer is closer to the anus (left side), symptoms may include blood in or on the stool, a change in bowel habits, stools that are narrower than usual and general weakness and weight loss. These symptoms are more typical for colon cancer and physicians would easily recommend a colonoscopy for further work up. However if the tumor is on the right side, almost a foot away from the anus, the symptoms may be more general such as unexplained stomach discomfort, frequent gas, pains, or indigestion, unexplained weight loss and chronic fatigue.
Beginning in January, I will be blogging here at the C3 website.
I am a Gastrointestinal (GI) Oncologist at the University of Southern California (USC)/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. I am what people describe as a physician scientist, which means I do see patients and write a lot of clinical trials, but I also have a laboratory focusing on the molecular make up of tumors.
