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What is the function of the sigmoid colon?
The sigmoid colon is the last section of the bowel — the part that attaches to the rectum. It’s about a foot and a half long (around 40 centimeters) and is shaped like the letter “s.” Its job is to hold feces until you’re ready to go to the bathroom. The sigmoid contains a lot of muscle tissue.
Is sigmoid colon cancer?
Typical signs and symptoms of proximal (cecum, ascending, transverse) colon malignancies include ill-defined abdominal pain, weight loss, and occult bleeding. Distal (descending, sigmoid) colon and rectal cancers commonly present with altered bowel habits, decreased stool caliber, and hematochezia.
How do you treat a sigmoid colon?
In some cases, surgery may be required to remove the area of the colon most affected by the disease. For example, if the involved segment is the sigmoid colon, the procedure is known as a sigmoid colectomy. You should understand that segmental colectomy only involves removing the infected or thickened area.
Can you live without a sigmoid colon?
Although it is an amazing organ, it is possible to live without a colon. People have portions of their colon removed in surgery every day—surgical bowel resection is one of the treatment options for colon cancer.
What organs are near the sigmoid colon?
Behind the sigmoid colon are the external iliac vessels, ovary, obturator nerve, the left Piriformis, and left sacral plexus of nerves. In front, it is separated from the bladder in the male, and the uterus in the female, by some coils of the small intestine.
What are the symptoms of sigmoid colon cancer?
Symptoms
- A persistent change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool.
- Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool.
- Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain.
- A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely.
- Weakness or fatigue.
Can the sigmoid colon be removed?
Sigmoidectomy surgery removes all or part of the sigmoid colon – the S-shaped part of the large intestine just before the rectum. Where possible the two healthy ends of the intestinal tract are then rejoined. If this is not possible then a stoma may be formed.
What are the side effects of sigmoid colon removal?
Side effects of sigmoid colon removal include: Irregular bowel movements. Gas and flatulence. Diarrhea. Bladder complications. Complications in or around the stoma . These can occur early after surgery to many years after the procedure. They include skin infection or breakdown, hernias, narrowing of the stoma, bleeding, and collapse.
How does diverticulitis affect the sigmoid colon?
As if these problems weren’t bad enough, a diverticulum can sometimes rupture and become inflamed or infected, giving rise to the condition diverticulitis. Because the sigmoid colon is the most common area for diverticula to develop, this also happens to be the most common area affected by diverticulitis.
What are symptoms of sigmoid colitis?
One of the most common locations for ulcerative colitis is the sigmoid colon. Possible signs and symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, anorexia or loss of appetite, bleeding from the rectum, skin problems and joint pain.
What is colon located closest to the rectum?
Sigmoid colon or pelvic colon is a portion of the large intestine which is closest to the rectum and anus. It helps to flow the fecal matter from the colon to rectum and then to the anus.