Asbestos Colon Cancer
Asbestos is a dangerous carcinogenic (cancer-causing) mineral that is linked to several cancers, including colon cancer. This type of cancer develops in the tissues of the colon, the longest part of the large intestine. People who often worked with asbestos-containing products may be at an increased risk of colon cancer. Learn more about asbestos colon cancer and how Lung Cancer Group may be able to help secure compensation.
Can Asbestos Cause Colon Cancer?
Yes. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM), there is a link between exposure to asbestos and an increased risk of colon cancer.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen connected to multiple cancers and chronic diseases including colon cancer, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
Since the colon is connected to other parts of the large intestine, it is common for colon cancer to be grouped into colorectal cancer. This term combines both colon and rectal cancers, but it’s important to note that while they share similarities rectal cancer is different and may require unique treatment approaches.
People who were regularly exposed to asbestos are encouraged to get routine colon cancer screenings because they are at an increased risk of developing colon cancer.
If you or someone you love was diagnosed with colon cancer that may have been caused by asbestos exposure, you may be eligible for financial assistance. Get a free asbestos colon cancer case review today to learn how.
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Risk Factors for Asbestos Colon Cancer
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), several factors can put people at a higher risk of asbestos colon cancer.
- Swallowing or breathing in asbestos fibers
- Being over the age of 50
- Consuming alcohol or tobacco
- Developing polyps (growths) in the rectum or colon frequently
- Having diabetes, bowel diseases, or a family history of colon cancer and bowel disease
- Living or working close to asbestos products
- Not eating enough fruit and vegetables
- Smoking tobacco
Asbestos Colon Cancer Symptoms
Asbestos colon cancer symptoms may take 10-50 years before they develop or become noticeable. This is because it can take years for cancer cells to grow large enough to begin causing disruptive symptoms.
Symptoms of asbestos colon cancer include:
- Chronic abdominal pain
- Chronic gas
- Constipation
- Dark-colored or bloody poop
- Diarrhea
- Extreme tiredness (weakness)
- Weight loss
Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms. They can determine whether you have asbestos colon cancer or another condition.
Diagnosing Asbestos Colon Cancer
There are several steps to diagnose asbestos colon cancer.
Tests to screen for asbestos colon cancer include:
- Physical exam: This initial visit will allow you to share your medical history with your doctor and begin screening for symptoms. You may also receive a digital rectal exam (DRE), which allows doctors to look for abnormalities in the prostate or rectum.
- Blood tests: Blood tests can help narrow down your diagnosis as they can show biomarkers (signs) of colon cancer. For example, you may have anemia or other signs that will show up in a blood panel.
- Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as X-rays and colonoscopies help doctors see inside the intestine and locate any abnormalities.
- Colonoscopy: During a colonoscopy, doctors can take a biopsy (sample of any abnormal tissues) and examine the samples in the lab to determine if cells are cancerous. This is the only way to confirm a colon cancer diagnosis.
Patients diagnosed with asbestos colon cancer may be eligible to seek financial compensation, which can be used for treatment and more. Learn how Lung Cancer Group can help you with a free case review now.
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Stages of Asbestos Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is staged using the Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging system.
The four stages of colon cancer are as follows:
- Stage 1: The cancer is only in the inner layers of the colon. It has not yet spread to other layers, lymph nodes, or other parts of the body.
- Stage 2: At this stage, cancer cells have spread to all layers of the colon but have not yet spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
- Stage 3: By stage 3 colon cancer, cancer cells have begun to spread to lymph nodes.
- Stage 4: This is the most advanced stage of colon cancer. It has spread to other organs.
Stage 1 and 2 colon cancer are considered early stage and are the easiest to treat. In comparison, stage 3 and 4 colon cancer are more advanced and may prove difficult to treat, depending on how far the cancer has spread.
Asbestos Colon Cancer Prognosis
Prognosis refers to the expected outcome of a diagnosis. The prognosis of asbestos colon cancer may be fairly positive if the cancer is diagnosed in early stages.
Every patient’s prognosis will vary depending on various factors such as:
- Age
- Patient’s overall health
- Stage of cancer at diagnosis
- Type of colon cancer
Asbestos colon cancer prognosis is explained with two estimates:
- Life expectancy: Refers to how long someone is expected to live after their diagnosis. The life expectancy for colon cancer varies widely but some patients have lived for 30 years.
- Survival rate: Refers to the likelihood of surviving beyond a certain time frame. Those diagnosed with colon cancer in early stages have a 5-year survival rate of 91%.
Types of Colon Cancer
There are several types of colon cancer, and asbestos exposure can cause any type. Learn about them below.
Colon Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of asbestos colon cancer, making up about 95% of cases. It begins specifically in the lining of the colon. Usually, this type starts in the inner lining and spreads to other layers.
Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors
Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors grow in nerve cells that regulate hormones in the colon. They’re slow-growing and only account for 1% of colorectal cancers.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors develop in connective tissues like fat, muscle, and cartilage that line the gastrointestinal tract. They more commonly form in the rectum but can spread to the colon.
Primary Colorectal Lymphoma
Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, a network of tissues, vessels, and organs that support immune cells in your bloodstream. While it is more common in older men, primary colorectal lymphomas are rare, accounting for fewer than 1% of colorectal cancers.
Colon and Rectal Leiomyosarcomas
Leiomyosarcoma is a cancer of the smooth muscle. Since the colon is covered in three layers of smooth muscle, it is possible for leiomyosarcomas to develop in the colon, although it is rare. Leiomyosarcomas only make up about of 0.1% of colorectal cancers.
Colon and Rectal Melanomas
Melanoma is most commonly known as skin cancer, but these cells can develop anywhere, including the colon. They can also spread to the colon from another part of the body. Not much is known about colon melanomas because this type is so rare, only making up for 1-3% of all digestive cancers.
Colorectal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
With less than 100 cases reported, this type of colon cancer is extremely rare. Squamous cells are common cells throughout the body, but when they turn cancerous they begin to replicate out of control. Why these cells begin to turn cancerous in the colon is not yet understood and more research must be done.
If you were exposed to asbestos and later developed colon cancer, Lung Cancer Group can help you pay for treatment. Contact us now to get started.
Treatment Options for Asbestos Colon Cancer
Doctors may prescribe various treatments for asbestos colon cancer, including the following.
Colon Cancer Surgery
The most common asbestos colon cancer treatment is surgery or surgical resection, which involves cutting out the cancerous tissue.
For early-stage colon cancers, a minimally invasive procedure, like a colonoscopy or laparoscopic surgery, may be an option in which a cancerous polyp or tumor is removed.
More advanced colon cancers may require more intensive procedures such as a partial colectomy, in which a part of the colon is removed. The colon is then reconstructed so postoperative bowel function is nearly or entirely normal.
Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer
Chemotherapy drugs kill fast-growing cells in your colon and throughout your body.
Doctors may prescribe chemotherapy before surgery to shrink a colon cancer tumor so it can more easily be removed (neoadjuvant therapy). In more advanced colon cancer cases, patients may need a course of chemotherapy after surgery.
Chemotherapy may be the main treatment option for those with colon lymphomas.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy involves using intense energy beams to kill colon cancer cells. It is not commonly used for colon cancer treatment, but doctors may use itt on a patient-by-patient basis.
Doctors may also combine chemotherapy with radiation therapy (chemoradiotherapy) to make radiation more effective in treating colon cancer.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy or molecularly targeted therapy uses drugs to target molecules inside or on cancer cells. Doctors use targeted therapy to kill cancer cells, relieve cancer symptoms, and slow cancer growth rates. For colon cancer, targeted therapy is most often used in advanced stages.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy boosts the immune system to help the body find and kill cancer cells. There are several types of immunotherapy, including oncolytic virus therapy, monoclonal antibodies, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. It is typically used in treating advanced colon cancer.
Lung Cancer Group can help you afford treatment costs if your colon cancer is linked to asbestos. Get started with a free case review now.
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Compensation Options for Asbestos Colon Cancer Victims
Asbestos colon cancer can be expensive to treat, even with the help of health insurance. If your colon cancer is caused by asbestos, you may qualify for different types of compensation.
Asbestos colon cancer compensation options include:
- Asbestos trust fund claims: Established by asbestos product manufacturers that filed for bankruptcy, these trusts provide those with asbestos-related diseases compensation for their injuries. There is still $30 billion available in asbestos trusts.
- Asbestos lawsuits: A lawsuit gives victims and their families the chance to hold companies responsible for the asbestos that caused their illness and potentially recover significant compensation. If their loved one has passed from asbestos colon cancer, their surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
- Veterans claims: Veterans who developed colon cancer or other diseases stemming from military asbestos exposure can file for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) like VA health care and disability payments.
Find Help for an Asbestos Colon Cancer Diagnosis
If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with colon cancer, Lung Cancer Group may be able to help.
We have experience helping families affected by asbestos-related diseases and cancers find financial aid and justice. Treatment costs can be overwhelming for many families, but filing an asbestos trust fund claim, asbestos lawsuit, or a VA benefits claim can cover expenses and reduce stress.
Get a free case review now to learn how we can help you.
Asbestos Colon Cancer FAQs
What is colon cancer?
Colon cancer develops in the lining of the colon, the longest portion of the large intestine. Since the colon is closely connected to the rectum, it may often be referred to as colorectal cancer, which combines both colon cancer and rectal cancer. However, colon cancer is different and may require different treatment approaches than rectal cancer.
Can exposure to asbestos cause colon cancer?
Yes, colon cancer can be caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos-exposed workers have a higher chance of developing colon cancer and other asbestos cancers like lung cancer and mesothelioma.
How many years does it take to get cancer from asbestos?
Asbestos-related cancers, including colon cancer, can take 10 to 50 years to develop. Regular screenings can help detect and treat cancer early.
Can you sue for colon cancer caused by asbestos?
Yes, you may be able to file a lawsuit if you developed colon cancer after being exposed to asbestos.
Call us at (877) 446-5767 to get connected to an asbestos law firm that can help you file lawsuits for colon cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.
