Masashi Ozaki Death: What is Sigmoid Colon Cancer and Why is It Always Fatal

Japan’s legendary golfer Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki died at the age of 78 due to colon cancer. Ozaki, who claimed his first of 94 titles on the Japanese circuit in 1973, including six Japan PGA Championships

and five Japan Open titles, secured his final victory in 2002 at age 55. According to reports, Ozaki, ranked among the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking for more than 200 weeks, had been battling stage 4 sigmoid colon cancer since last year. Japanese media said he spent his remaining time in peace. Ozaki’s son stated he died due to stage 4 sigmoid colon cancer, indicating that the cancer had already spread beyond the colon.

What is sigmoid colon cancer?

Also known as carcinoma of the sigmoid colon, this cancer forms the part of the large intestine closest to the rectum. The colon absorbs water from stool and pushes the stool to the rectum and anus until it’s ready to be expelled when you use the bathroom. Colorectal cancer is an umbrella term for colon and rectal cancer, and according to studies, colorectal cancer is more common in the sigmoid colon, which is on the left side, along with the descending colon and rectum. The rectum is also considered the left side, even though it is not part of the colon. According to experts, more than 70 per cent of colorectal cancers are diagnosed on the left side. The sigmoid colon exists as the S‑shaped last section of the large intestine, which extends from the main colon to the rectum. It is a form of colorectal cancer, and often grows slowly at first, as polyps, before turning malignant with time. Stage 4 sigmoid colon cancer means that cancer cells have spread to distant organs, most commonly the liver or lungs.

What causes sigmoid colon cancer?

Many factors lead to the development of this pathology, which is quite wide. One of the reasons that explains the prevalence of tumours in the sigmoid colon is its location. With insufficient intestinal motility, fecal stagnation often occurs in this area, leading to circulatory problems and the absorption of toxins into the blood. As a result, adenomatous polyps are formed. A few risk factors include:

• Hereditary predisposition
• The presence of chronic pathologies of the large intestine
• The presence of polyps and the tendency for their formation in the intestines
• Intestinal motility issues
• Unbalanced diet
• Smoking and alcohol abuse
• Toxic substances
• Type 2 diabetes
• Lack of exercise

How quickly does sigmoid colon cancer develop?

According to doctors, due to the location of this fragment of the intestine, the tumour does not manifest itself in the initial stages of formation. It is believed that the relatively asymptomatic period of development of a malignant tumour is from five to 15 years. How active the further process will be depends on the type of cancer, general health, characteristics of the immune system, and other factors.

Signs and symptoms

A few signs and symptoms of sigmoid colon cancer include:

• Pooping disorders, which include frequent constipation and diarrhoea
• Increased and uncontrollable flatulence
• Stomach pain
• Blood streaks in the stool
• Excessive fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Constant bloating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches