The colon is the end part of the digestive tract. It helps in excreting waste from the body. Healthy cells in the colon multiply vigorously to form a tumor. These tumors turn cancerous and cause colon cancer. There is no definite cause found for colon cancer; however, they are associated with several risk factors that lead to different stages and treatments for colon cancer. Certain precautionary measures can prevent the occurrence of colon cancer.

Treatment for each stage of colon cancer
There are different stages and treatments related to colon cancer. The treatment for colon cancer widely depends on the stage of colon cancer present. The other factors for treatment depend on the patient’s age, overall health, and lifestyle habits. Here are the treatment options for colon cancer based on the stage.

• Stage 0
  The easiest way to treat colon cancer at stage 0 is through surgery. Since the tumor lies within the inner lying of the colon, a surgery called colonoscope can easily remove it.
• Stage I
  At Stage I, the tumor grows inside the walls of the colon. Different surgery techniques are used to remove the tumor at this stage, based on the grade and location of the tumor.
  
• Stage II
  At this stage, the cancer has grown beyond the walls of the colon and has affected the nearby lymph nodes. Systematic surgery is performed to remove the tumor carefully. Depending upon the severity of the disease, chemotherapy is suggested to any further risk and growth.
  
• Stage III
  The cancer is severe at this stage where it has begun to spread to the nearby organs. Surgery is performed to remove the cancerous tumor carefully and the patient is further treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
  
• Stage IV
  This is the last and final stage of cancer, where the survival rate lowers and where treatments can only temporarily ease the problem. The treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy.

Symptoms
Colon cancer tends to occur more in older adults, which is why regular screenings and checkups can help to diagnose cancer at an early stage. Most symptoms are not evident and are very mild in the first stage of cancer. These symptoms differ depending on the size and location of the tumor. Some of the common symptoms related to different stages and treatment of colon cancer are:

• Presence of dark blood in stools
• Passing thin stools. This is an indication of blockage in the colon because of a tumor.
• Constant complaints of diarrhea or constipation. A doctor should be consulted if any of these problems persist for more than a week or two.
• Feeling tired or weak too often could be a sign of iron deficiency caused because of the bleeding in the tumor.
• Pain and swelling in the abdomen can be caused by the blockage in the colon because of the presence of a tumor.
• An unexplained weight loss with no lifestyle changes is alarming. A sudden weight loss of more than 10 pounds can be a sign of cancer.
• Feeling nauseous and continuous vomiting is a result of a tumor being present in the intestine. This can interfere with the digestion process.