Overview
Rare epithelial tumor of the colon is an uncommon type of growth that starts in the lining cells (called epithelial cells) of the large intestine, also known as the colon. Unlike the more common colorectal cancers or polyps that doctors see every day, this category covers unusual tumor types that do not fit neatly into standard classifications. These tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), and their behavior depends heavily on the specific tumor type involved. Because these tumors arise in the colon, they can interfere with normal bowel function. Symptoms often include changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and unexplained weight loss. Some people have no symptoms at all in the early stages, which is why these tumors are sometimes found during routine colonoscopy screening. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumor, and depending on whether the tumor has spread, additional therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation may be considered. Because these tumors are rare, treatment is often guided by expert centers with experience in unusual colon cancers. Early detection greatly improves outcomes, making regular screening and prompt attention to symptoms very important.
Key symptoms:
Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation that does not go awayBlood in the stool or rectal bleedingAbdominal pain, cramping, or discomfortA feeling that the bowel does not empty completelyUnexplained weight lossFatigue or low energyBloating or gasNarrow or ribbon-like stoolsNausea or vomiting in some casesAnemia (low red blood cell count) causing paleness and tiredness
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Rare epithelial tumor of colon.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Rare epithelial tumor of colon at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Rare epithelial tumor of colon.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Rare epithelial tumor of colon.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Rare epithelial tumor of colon
No recent news articles for Rare epithelial tumor of colon.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the exact type of rare epithelial tumor I have, and how does that affect my treatment options?,Has my tumor been tested for genetic markers like MSI, MMR, KRAS, or BRAF, and what do those results mean for me?,Should I have inherited genetic testing to see if my family members are at risk?,Is surgery the best first step, and what are the chances it can remove the tumor completely?,Are there clinical trials available for my specific tumor type?,What are the chances the tumor will come back, and how will we monitor for that?,Are there specialist centers or tumor boards that should review my case given how rare this tumor is?
Common questions about Rare epithelial tumor of colon
What is Rare epithelial tumor of colon?
Rare epithelial tumor of the colon is an uncommon type of growth that starts in the lining cells (called epithelial cells) of the large intestine, also known as the colon. Unlike the more common colorectal cancers or polyps that doctors see every day, this category covers unusual tumor types that do not fit neatly into standard classifications. These tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), and their behavior depends heavily on the specific tumor type involved. Because these tumors arise in the colon, they can interfere with normal bowel function. Symptoms often include
At what age does Rare epithelial tumor of colon typically begin?
Typical onset of Rare epithelial tumor of colon is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Rare epithelial tumor of colon?
1 specialists and care centers treating Rare epithelial tumor of colon are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.