Colon Diseases: Common Disorders of the Large Intestine

What the colon does

Your colon, also called the large intestine, is part of your digestive system: a long, hollow tube at the end of the digestive tract, where your body makes and stores stool.

Disorders that affect it

Many conditions can keep the colon from working properly, including:

• colorectal cancer;
• colonic polyps — extra tissue growing in the colon, which can become cancerous;
• ulcerative colitis — ulcers of the colon and rectum;
• diverticulitis — inflammation or infection of pouches in the colon;
• irritable bowel syndrome — an uncomfortable condition causing abdominal cramping and other symptoms.

Treatment

Treatment varies greatly with the disease and how severe it is. It may involve diet, medicines and, in some cases, surgery.

Sources

Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Colonic Diseases," National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; a work of the United States government in the public domain.