Colon Cancer

A diagnosis of colon cancer can be frightening yet the potential for treatment brings encouraging news. When found early, the patient has several options of colon cancer treatment. First, if the colon cancer is suspected from the fecal occult blood test, a colonoscopy is then scheduled to get a complete picture of the large intestines. During that procedure, small polyps can be removed without requiring further surgery.

The treatment decisions depend on the stage or extent of colon cancer. At State 0 (zero), colon cancer treatment of choice is to use the colonoscopy to remove cancerous cells and polyps. When the colon cancer is at Stage I, II or III, further surgery is required which may involve cutting away portions of the colon that is severely damaged or breached by the cancer. The colon is then resectioned or re-joined surgically.

Whether a patient receives chemotherapy as colon cancer treatment after surgery for Stage II cancer is debatable and left to the recommendation of the oncologist. Some oncologists do not prescribe chemotherapy unless the colon cancer is Stage III. After surgery, patients with Stage III colon cancer can expect to be treated with the chemotherapy drug 5-Fluoruracil for at least six to eight months. Patients who also have Stage III rectal cancer may be treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.

Patients who need colon cancer treatment for Stage IV cancer also get chemotherapy often using a combination of drugs 5-Fluroruracil, Irinotecan or Oxaliplatin. Some patients may receive an oral form of chemotherapy using the drug, Capecitabine. If the colon cancer spreads to the liver, additional treatment will be given such as burning or freezing sections of the liver where the cancer is present.

The basic concepts of colon cancer treatment involve surgery to remove the cancer and damage caused by the cancer, chemotherapy drugs to kill the cancer cells and prevent cell multiplication and radiation to burn away the cancer cells. These treatments are most effective when the colon cancer cells are localized. If the cancer spreads to other organs and tissues, reoccurs in the colon after prior treatment or a new area of colorectal cancer is found, these instances add complications to the colon cancer treatment.

The good news is that 90% of patients survive at least five years after diagnosis and colon cancer treatment. This result depends on early detection of the colon cancer. The survival rate declines dramatically for colon cancer found in later stages. The five year mark is especially important because remaining cancer free five years after treatment is celebrated as a cure. Colon cancer can be cured in Stages I, II and III. Sadly Stage IV cancer is too severe to respond as well to colon cancer treatment.

During colon cancer treatment, a patient deals with many physical and emotional issues. Finding a cancer support group is very important for the patient and the family to give them encouragement and realistic views from people who have been there and survived.

Treatments For Colon Cancer |