Colon Cancer Treatment: Structure & Incidence – [약손+]

The consumption of oily foods has increased to the extent that even shoes taste better when fried, and a red light has been turned on for colon health due to westernized eating habits. Colon cancer, which was once considered a cancer for middle-aged men, has recently been increasing among young people in their 20s and 30s. We learn about colorectal cancer surgery and treatment, as well as health habits for early detection, with Professor Kim Hye-jin, a colorectal and anal surgeon at Chilgok Kyungpook National University Hospital.
[오서윤 아나운서]
Although the large intestine is one organ, it has different functions depending on its location, so it is necessary to look at each part. First, let’s take a look at what structure the large intestine is made of and what role each plays.
[김혜진 대장항문외과 교수]
The large intestine refers to the digestive organ that connects from the end of the small intestine to the anus. It is about 1.5m long. Its main role is to absorb moisture, synthesize vitamins B and K, form stool, and then defecate.

The large intestine can be broadly divided into the cecum, colon, and rectum. The cecum is the part where the large intestine first begins. Most of the large intestine is occupied by the colon, which can be divided into the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon.

The rectum is generally only 15cm from the anus and has the function of temporarily storing and excreting feces.
[오서윤 아나운서]
Let’s take a closer look at colon cancer. They say that the incidence of colon cancer is quite high in Korea. How much does it actually occur compared to other cancers?

[김혜진 대장항문외과 교수]
According to statistics from the National Cancer Information Center in 2021, the annual incidence rate of colon cancer for both men and women ranked second after thyroid cancer. Considering that colon cancer ranked 4th in the same survey in 2017, it can be said that it is continuing to increase.

Approximately 90% of colon cancers progress to cancer through the polyp stage. Among many polyps, adenomatous polyps, that is, adenomas, develop into colon cancer. Through genetic mutation, it grows in size and develops into colon cancer over time. I think it will take approximately 3 to 10 years.

(Composed by Seo Ye-rim)