Pain Management

Pain Management

Management of pain in elderly women with end stage cancer

Colon Cancer

The second most diagnosed cancer in United States is colon cancer. It has affected both men and women. The colon cancer starts to grow from the inner lining and affects the large intestine with malignant tumor. The tumor grows on a slow rate and once it is developed on a significant rate, it can be easily diagnosed. In few cases, the colon cancer is diagnosed when it is spread to the liver. The origination of colon cancer is from a gland which starts dividing its cells when it has to stop. The cells stop making mucus at one stage because they are busy dividing and growing. The cells of colon cancer start piling on one another. The polyps are initiated in the colon cancer when the bump sticks out into the inside of the colon. After cancer of the esophagus and stomach, colon cancer ranks in the third place (Beach House Press, 2010).

Colon cancer has five stages starting from stage 0 to stage 4. The end stage of colon cancer is very painful and incorporates many difficulties and problems. Depending on the affected tissues and organs, the terminal stage can differ from patient to patient. Patients within the terminal stage lack energy; they are weak and skinny. They often refuse to eat, and their appetite is remarkably reduced. They may benefit from intravenous fluids because it is often difficult for patients to drink as well. The organs surrounding the colon cancer are also affected by the tumor. The more the advanced stages the more the organs are likely to be affected. Anemia is one of the causes from the tumor. It occurs due to the intake of red meat. It can also occur because of the prolonged loss of blood from the metastases and the tumor.

Stage 0

The inner lining is formed, which is the polyp which indicates the first stage of the colon cancer. During surgery, if the polyp is removed, the colon cancer can be completely cured. However, there are chances that the polyp may originate from other places. It is suggested by the American Cancer Society that everyone must be tested for colon cancer after age of 50 and go through colonoscopy or other similar tests.

Stage 2

The cells keep dividing and growing themselves. When the outer layer of the colon is pushed by the cancer cells, the cancer reaches stage 2. The cancer cells in this stage is required to be cut out and removed. Doctors may suggest intake of drugs and chemotherapy.

Stage 3

In this stage, the cancel cells break through out of the outer wall of the colon. They are leaked out and are absorbed by the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are sucking sponges that suck in extra fluids occurring between tissues and cells. They are useful in filtering the fluid and sending the filtered fluid into the blood vessels. Lymph nodes comprise of white blood cells which help to fight against ...