The colon’s walls consist of mucous membranes, tissue, and muscle layers. Colon cancer starts in the mucosa, the innermost lining that produces mucus and other fluids. When these cells undergo mutations, they may form polyps, which can eventually turn cancerous.
It typically takes about 10 years for a polyp to develop into cancer. If left untreated, the cancer can penetrate deeper layers of the colon, spread to lymph nodes or blood vessels, and potentially reach other parts of the body. Early screening and timely treatment are essential to prevent the progression of the disease.
