Colon Cancer

Colorectal Cancer is the No. 1 cancer in Singapore

Colorectal cancer is cancer of the large intestines and can manifest silently over a period of 5 to 10 years.

Colorectal cancer in Singapore is the most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer in women.

Colorectal or colon cancer occurs when cells in the colon or rectum mutate and form a polyp. Left untreated, polyps may turn cancerous, metastasizing and spreading to other parts of the body.

To detect colorectal cancer in its early stages when it is most treatable, screening tests such as a colonoscopy should be regularly conducted.

How is Colorectal Cancer Detected?

The ideal method of screening is via a colonoscopy, a specialized procedure where a thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the anus and through the rectum into the colon.

During this process, we will look for polyps – abnormal growths on the lining of the colon. These polyps can grow and develop without any obvious symptom. Polyps that are detected during a colonoscopy will be removed on the spot and tested for the presence of cancer.

More about colonoscopy

How is Colon Cancer Treated?

Colorectal surgery is used to remove the affected part of the colon (be it partial or total) to curb the spread of the disease, and is the only treatment that can provide a definite cure to colon cancer. While there are other treatment options such as chemotherapy, these are best used as supporting treatments and not as standalone treatments.

Treatment of colon cancer depends on the stage and severity of the disease. As specialists in the field of endoscopy, Dr Dennis Koh and Dr Sharon Koh will decide on an appropriate method to treat the cancer most effectively with minimal risk and downtime. Established colon cancer surgery techniques include open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, single port surgery and robotic surgery.