Colon Cancer in Children

Colon cancer is a condition that occurs when abnormal cells form and grow in the lining of the rectum or colon. These abnormal cells sometimes begin as polyps. Larger polyps have the potential to become cancerous. Colon cancer cells are most dangerous when they invade other parts of the body. Colon cancer is rare in children; however, children with certain hereditary conditions may be at risk for developing colon cancer.

Incidence

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colon cancer is very rare in children. Only about one out of one million children will develop colon cancer. Those children who do develop colon cancer usually have some type of hereditary condition that causes the formation of abnormal cells.

Causes

• Colon cancer in children usually has genetic or hereditary causes. A family pattern of colon cancer may exist. Also, there may be an increased incidence of colon cancer syndrome in the family. Children born into families who have a history of intestinal polyps are at an increased risk of developing colon cancer as well. In addition, children with ulcerative colitis are at an increased risk of developing colon cancer. Some types of hereditary conditions that may lead to colon cancer are familial adenomatous polyposis, Lynch syndrome and juvenile polyposis syndrome. Children with any of these conditions should be monitored closely so that any cancerous cells can be identified and treated early.

Development

• Children with colon cancer usually first develop tumors on the right side of the colon, whereas adults usually develop left-sided tumors. The tumors usually start out as polyps and may take several years to become malignant. Children at an increased risk of colon cancer may need to have surgery to remove polyps as they occur.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of colon cancer vary depending on where the tumors form. When tumors develop in the lower colon or rectum, bowel habits may be affected. Some children will experience prolonged diarrhea. When tumors develop on the right side of the colon, the child may experience weight loss, bloody stools and decreased appetite. If the tumor causes an obstruction in the large bowel, the bowel may become perforated and cancerous cells may then be able to spread throughout the abdominal cavity. When this happens, the cancer can attack other parts of the body.

Treatments

• Children at an increased risk of developing colon cancer should be monitored closely to determine if polyps or tumors or present. Removing polyps before they become cancerous is the most effective treatment. However, if the polyps progress into cancerous tumors other treatments option may be needed. The child may need radiation therapy along with chemotherapy to kill the cancerous cells before they have a chance to invade the rest of the body. In some cases, the areas affected by tumorous growths may have to be surgically removed.