Colon cancer is a cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon, which is part of the large intestine. It often begins as a growth called a polyp. Some colon polyps can slowly change into cancer over time.
Many colon cancers can be prevented through screening because colonoscopy can find and remove precancerous polyps before they become cancer. Screening can also detect colon cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment is more likely to be effective.
Dr. Aisha Akhtar is a colorectal surgeon who evaluates and treats colon cancer, colon polyps, rectal bleeding, and other colon and rectal conditions. She helps patients understand diagnosis, staging, surgical options, and next steps after colonoscopy or biopsy.
Colon cancer may not cause symptoms in its early stages. This is why screening is important, even when a person feels well. Warning signs can include blood in the stool, a change in bowel habits, narrower stools, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, anemia, or ongoing fatigue.
A colonoscopy is one of the most important tests for colon cancer because it allows the doctor to examine the colon, remove polyps, and biopsy abnormal tissue when needed. Treatment depends on the stage of cancer and may include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and, in selected cases, radiation therapy.
Colon cancer develops when abnormal cells grow in the lining of the colon and become cancer. The colon and rectum make up the large intestine. Cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer, while cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Together, these are often called colorectal cancer.
Most colon cancers develop slowly from polyps. Not all polyps become cancer, but some types can become cancer if they are not found and removed.
Colon cancer and rectal cancer are related but not identical.
| Feature | Colon Cancer | Rectal Cancer |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Begins in the colon | Begins in the rectum |
| Common diagnostic test | Colonoscopy with biopsy | Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy with biopsy |
| Staging tests | Often CT scan and blood tests | Often MRI pelvis plus CT scan and blood tests |
| Treatment | Often surgery first, depending on stage | May require chemotherapy and/or radiation before surgery, depending on stage |
The distinction matters because rectal cancer may require different staging and treatment planning than colon cancer.
Colon cancer prevention starts with finding and removing polyps before they become cancer. Colonoscopy is valuable because it can detect polyps and allow removal during the same procedure when appropriate.
Screening is especially important because early colon cancer and precancerous polyps often do not cause symptoms.
Risk factors for colon cancer include:
A family history is especially important. Patients with a parent, sibling, or child with colorectal cancer may need screening earlier than average-risk patients.
For average-risk adults, colon cancer screening generally starts at age 45. Screening usually continues through age 75. For adults ages 76 to 85, screening is individualized based on overall health, prior screening history, and patient preference.
Patients at higher risk may need screening earlier or more frequently. Higher-risk groups include patients with a family history of colorectal cancer, prior colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or known hereditary cancer syndromes.
Screening options may include colonoscopy, stool-based tests, CT colonography, or flexible sigmoidoscopy. If a stool-based test or CT colonography is abnormal, colonoscopy is usually needed for further evaluation.
Women should not delay colon cancer screening. Current U.S. screening recommendations apply to both women and men. Adults at average risk should begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45.
Colonoscopy is one screening option and is usually repeated every 10 years if the exam is normal and no higher-risk findings are present. Some women may need screening earlier or more often if they have rectal bleeding, a personal history of colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, a family history of colorectal cancer, or a hereditary cancer syndrome.
If you are unsure when to start screening, Dr. Aisha Akhtar can review your symptoms, family history, prior colonoscopy results, and risk factors to help determine the appropriate next step.
Colon cancer can be silent in its early stages. When symptoms occur, they may include:
Hemorrhoids can cause rectal bleeding, but bleeding should not automatically be assumed to be from hemorrhoids. Persistent, recurrent, or unexplained bleeding should be evaluated.
Learn more about rectal bleeding evaluation.
You should schedule an evaluation if you have:
Dr. Aisha Akhtar provides colon and rectal evaluation for patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, and surrounding Arizona communities.
Diagnosis usually begins with a medical history, physical examination, and testing based on symptoms and risk factors.
Tests may include:
A biopsy confirms whether abnormal tissue is cancer. Once cancer is diagnosed, additional testing is performed to determine the stage and guide treatment planning.
Colonoscopy allows the physician to examine the inside of the colon using a thin, flexible tube with a camera. During colonoscopy, polyps may be removed and suspicious areas can be biopsied.
Colonoscopy is used for:
Staging determines how far the cancer has spread. This information guides treatment decisions and helps estimate prognosis.
Staging may include:
The final pathologic stage is often determined after surgery, when the tumor and lymph nodes can be examined.
Colon cancer is usually described by stages 0 through IV.
| Stage | What it generally means |
|---|---|
| Stage 0 | Abnormal cells are limited to the inner lining of the colon. This is also called carcinoma in situ. |
| Stage I | Cancer has grown into deeper layers of the colon wall but has not spread to lymph nodes. |
| Stage II | Cancer has grown through the colon wall or nearby tissues but has not spread to lymph nodes. |
| Stage III | Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. |
| Stage IV | Cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the liver or lungs. |
Stage is only one part of treatment planning. Tumor biology, lymph node involvement, surgical findings, genetic and biomarker testing, and the patient’s overall health also matter.
Treatment depends on the cancer stage, tumor location, patient health, and multidisciplinary recommendations.
Treatment may include:
For many patients with localized colon cancer, surgery is the main treatment. Chemotherapy may be recommended after surgery for some patients, especially when cancer has spread to lymph nodes or has other high-risk features.
Surgery removes the section of colon containing the cancer along with nearby lymph nodes. The healthy ends of the bowel are often reconnected, which is called an anastomosis.
Common operations include:
An ostomy is not required for most colon cancer operations, but it may be needed in selected situations depending on the tumor, emergency presentation, bowel condition, and surgical findings.
Minimally invasive approaches, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery, may be appropriate for some patients with colon cancer. These techniques use smaller incisions than open surgery and may support less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery when clinically appropriate.
Not every patient is a candidate. The best surgical approach depends on tumor location, cancer stage, prior surgery, anatomy, emergency status, and overall health.
Chemotherapy may be recommended after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence, especially for stage III colon cancer and selected high-risk stage II cancers. In advanced colon cancer, chemotherapy may also be used to control disease, shrink tumors, or treat cancer that has spread.
Some patients may also benefit from biomarker testing to determine whether targeted therapy or immunotherapy is appropriate.
Radiation therapy is used less often for colon cancer than for rectal cancer. However, it may be considered in selected cases, such as locally advanced disease, cancer involving nearby structures, recurrence, or symptom control. Treatment decisions should be individualized by the cancer care team.
Follow-up care is important after colon cancer treatment because cancer can recur. Surveillance depends on the stage of cancer and the treatment received.
Follow-up may include:
Many patients have a repeat colonoscopy about one year after surgery or completion of treatment, unless their surgeon or gastroenterologist recommends a different timeline based on findings.
Prognosis is strongly related to the stage at diagnosis. Colon cancer found at an early stage is more likely to be treated successfully. This is why screening is important before symptoms develop.
Patients with colon cancer should discuss their individual prognosis with their surgeon and oncology team, because outcomes depend on stage, tumor biology, lymph node involvement, response to treatment, and overall health.
Dr. Aisha Akhtar provides evaluation and surgical care for colon cancer, colon polyps, rectal bleeding, and colorectal conditions for patients in:
If you have symptoms, abnormal screening results, colon polyps, or a new diagnosis of colon cancer, a colorectal surgery consultation can help clarify diagnosis, staging, and treatment options.
Many cases of colon cancer can be prevented through screening because colonoscopy can find and remove precancerous polyps before they become cancer. Screening can also detect cancer earlier, when treatment is more likely to be effective.
For average-risk adults, screening generally starts at age 45. Patients with a family history, prior polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or hereditary cancer syndromes may need earlier or more frequent screening.
Colon cancer often has no symptoms early. Possible symptoms include blood in the stool, rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habits, narrower stools, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, anemia, or fatigue.
Not always. Hemorrhoids, fissures, inflammation, and other conditions can cause bleeding. However, rectal bleeding should be evaluated, especially if it is persistent, recurrent, unexplained, or associated with bowel habit changes, anemia, or weight loss.
Colon cancer is usually diagnosed with colonoscopy and biopsy. Additional imaging and blood tests are used after diagnosis to determine whether cancer has spread.
CEA, or carcinoembryonic antigen, is a blood marker that may be elevated in some people with colon cancer. It is not used alone to diagnose colon cancer, but it may help with staging, treatment planning, or follow-up in selected patients.
Surgery is the main treatment for many localized colon cancers. Some very early cancers may be treated with local removal, while advanced cancers may require chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or other treatments in addition to surgery.
Most colon cancer surgeries do not require a permanent ostomy. An ostomy may be needed in selected cases depending on tumor location, bowel condition, emergency presentation, and surgical findings.
Some patients may be candidates for robotic or laparoscopic colon cancer surgery. The appropriate approach depends on tumor location, stage, anatomy, prior surgery, and overall health.
Colon cancer starts in the colon. Rectal cancer starts in the rectum. Colorectal cancer is a broader term that includes both colon cancer and rectal cancer.
“ The whole office was wonderful. Dr Akhtar was excellent. She was thorough. She explained things extremely well. She answered all my questions. I... The whole office was wonderful. Dr Akhtar was excellent. She was thorough. She explained things extremely well. She answered all my questions. I never felt like she was rushing my exam. ”
“ Dr. Akhtar and the entire team made what could have been a very stressful experience feel comfortable, reassuring, and genuinely cared for from sta... Dr. Akhtar and the entire team made what could have been a very stressful experience feel comfortable, reassuring, and genuinely cared for from start to finish. Dr. Akhtar was professional, compassionate, and took the time to thoroughly explain everything before my procedure, which immediately put me at ease. The procedure itself went smoothly, and I truly felt I was in excellent hands the entire time. The office staff was also kind, organized, and attentive throughout the process. I’m incredibly grateful for the level of care, patience, and professionalism I received. I would absolutely recommend Dr. Akhtar to anyone looking for a skilled doctor who truly cares about their patients and their comfort. ”
“ I cannot express the how thankful I am for Dr. Akhtar. I had been to 4 other colorectal doctors, 3 gastro doctors before seeing Dr. Akhtar. I was c... I cannot express the how thankful I am for Dr. Akhtar. I had been to 4 other colorectal doctors, 3 gastro doctors before seeing Dr. Akhtar. I was crying in her office when she met me the first time. That didn't deter her. Not only that but she located the issue on my first visit. She is kind, caring, thorough and incredibly knowledgeable. She listens, spends time with you and doesn't talk over you. I've needed extra time to discuss my case many times and she has always taken the time that I needed. I've brought to her research I've read, and she always already knows about the publications. The staff are kind and helpful. I dont know what I would have done without finding her. Another health care provider recommended her highly as do I. ”
“ Best colorectal surgeon I’ve ever met. Dr. Akhtar is compassionate, gentle, warm, and caring. I came to her in Glendale after having a horrific exp... Best colorectal surgeon I’ve ever met. Dr. Akhtar is compassionate, gentle, warm, and caring. I came to her in Glendale after having a horrific experience with a general surgeon in Flagstaff (where I live). The Flagstaff surgeon caused a hemorrhage that almost cost me my life, and then I developed stenosis after the emergency room surgeon “fixed” the hemorrhage. Dr. Akhtar was kind enough to take me as a patient (most surgeons will not take a patient who has already been operated by another surgeon due to liability). She was very respectful and gentle in the examination, and was even able to fit me in for an outpatient procedure under sedation the very same day (knowing that I drove over 2 hours to see her). I could not be happier with her. She took the time to personally call me the next day to check on my progress. You do not see this type of doctor very often anymore. She is someone who is in it for the patient, and you can tell. I will continue to drive over 4 hours there and back to receive her high quality care and expertise. Cannot recommend her highly enough. ”
“ Dr. Akhtar is THE BEST provider I have ever seen, period. She is incredibly knowledgeable, informative, and above all so kind. I have not met... Dr. Akhtar is THE BEST provider I have ever seen, period. She is incredibly knowledgeable, informative, and above all so kind. I have not met many people who have as comforting a bedside manner as she does. I was educated properly every step of the way and felt confident doing so because of her caring demeanor. Her PA Moses is also so friendly and upbeat, helping to ease any tension you may be feeling prior to the exam. The energy both Dr. Akhtar and Moses bring was paramount to how excellent my experience was here. Given their specialty, it would be easy to have an uncomfortable experience. However, they go the extra mile to make sure you are comfortable and reassured before anything is done. I cannot recommend this practice enough. Thank you Dr. Akhtar for the genuine concern and care you provided to me! Both my body and my outlook on my health outcomes are better off because of you. ”
“ Dr. Aisha Akhtar I have been dealing with this issue for the last two years and seen many specialist but none of them as good as Doctor Akhtar- she... Dr. Aisha Akhtar I have been dealing with this issue for the last two years and seen many specialist but none of them as good as Doctor Akhtar- she was able to quickly diagnose my issue and provide a path to a solution. She's very professional, but also can explain things in simple terms. I'm very pleased with the results. ”
“ The Doctor and staff worked together seamlessly on all stages of my first office visit. Doctor Aisha Akhtar is absolutely brilliant. She Dx. a cond... The Doctor and staff worked together seamlessly on all stages of my first office visit. Doctor Aisha Akhtar is absolutely brilliant. She Dx. a condition I wasn’t aware of during physical exam and case history. I’m fortunate to live in an area with the best healthcare in the world. ”
“ Extremely knowledgeable and personable, respectful and sensitive. She made me feel comfortable and heard, and able to move forward with next steps in a timely manner. I highly recommend her! ”
“ So glad I found Dr Akhtar. I just had my 1st banding hemorrhoid treatment. She takes the time to explain everything and answers any questions you may have. Highly recommend Dr Akhtar! ”
“ The whole office was wonderful. Dr Akhtar was excellent. She was thorough. She explained things extremely well. She answered all my questions. I... The whole office was wonderful. Dr Akhtar was excellent. She was thorough. She explained things extremely well. She answered all my questions. I never felt like she was rushing my exam. ”
Please don't hesitate to call us at 602-932-5660 or reach out via our online form, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for educational resources.
