Tuesday, May 12, 2009

What is the difference between colon cancer and diverticulitis and what are the symtoms of each

What is the difference between colon cancer and diverticulitis and what are the symtoms of each?

Cancer - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
A diverticulum is a blind pouch leading off the alimentary tract, lined by mucosa that communicates with the lumen of the gut. Most individuals with diverticular disease remain asymptomatic throughout their lives, and the lesions are most often discovered incidentally. Only about 20% of those affected ever develop manifestations in the form of diverticulitis. These may include intermittent cramping or continuous lower abdominal discomfort, constipation, distention, and a sensation of never being able to completely empty the rectum. Patients sometimes experience alternating constipation and diarrhea. Occasionally there may be minimal chronic or intermittent blood loss, or rarely massive hemorrhages. Whether a high-fiber diet prevents such progression or protects against superimposed diverticulitis is still unclear. Diets supplemented with high fiber may provide symptomatic improvement, but the treatment may seem worse than the disease. Even when diverticulitis supervenes, it most often resolves spontaneously. Relatively few patients require surgical intervention for obstructive or inflammatory complications. Diverticulitis is NOT a cancer. Colon cancer, as the name implies, is a cancer on the colon, and without a doubt needs to be removed by a surgeon. -random physician
2 :
colon cancer is a malignant tumor that can kill. diverticulitis is inflammation of diverticulae. diverticulae are outpouchings of the colon. Diverticular disease can be painful, and irritating, and sometimes requires removal of part of the colon. the main symptom of diverticulosis (just having diverticulae) is abdominal pain. CA symptoms can be none, bleeding, pain, fever, etc.
3 :
Diverticulitis, is an inflammation of the diverticulum, more commonly of one or more colonic diverticula. this type of diverticulitis is caused by infection and causes lower abdominal pain with diarrhoea or constipation. A "Meckel's" diverticulum may sometimes become inflamed due to infection, causing symptoms similar to appendicitis. Colon Cancer, is when the colon has a malignant tumour, including carcinoma and sarcoma. it arises from the abnormal and uncontrolled division of cells that then invade and destroy the surrounding tissues.
4 :
cindy damn what a a question for the doctor in the house, I'm not a real doctor I just play one on TV>>>>>>> LMFAO

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