Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is evaluated and described by Stages 0 to IV. Stage IV is the most severe cancer impact in which the cancer has migrated to other organs or tissues. The areas where the cancer usually spreads are the liver, peritoneum, lung or ovary. Because of the damage that is already done, treatment for Stage 4 colon cancer does not have the potential for cure.

Surgery for Stage IV colon cancer is done to remove cancerous tumors that protrude out of the intestine or block the intestine. This surgery usually involves a segmental resection or removal of a damaged portion of the colon and resectioning or re-joining the colon. At times the best outcome of surgery is merely to remove blockage in the intestine. For some patients with less severe metastases, surgery may extend the lifespan somewhat although not enough to be considered a cure as can occur with lower stage colon cancer.

If the tumors cannot be surgically removed due to size, numbers of tumors or interconnection, an alternative Stage 4 colon cancer treatment is to freeze the cells or blast them with heat that is like microwave heat. These options may work as well or better than the traditional chemotherapy and radiation combination.

When colon cancer returns after treatment is done, the process begins again but may require a different combination of Stage 4 colon cancer treatment options. A recurrence may be at the same site where a tumor was surgically removed or on another organ. These metastases must be treated or removed as soon as possible after detection. If the metastases cannot be surgically removed for any reason, then the only option that remains is chemotherapy. The oncologist is likely to choose a different chemotherapy drug or use a combination of drugs for the recurrent Stage 4 colon cancer treatment.

If the treatments for Stage IV are not having any positive effect, a patient may choose to participate in a clinical drug trial for an experimental cancer drug. A patient needs to discuss this with the oncologist before making this choice. When standard medical treatments are exhausted or ineffective, some patients feel that they have nothing to lose and have to potential to get help for themselves as well as helping other patients because of what is learned in the clinical study.

Coping with Stage IV colon cancer is a stressful ordeal. A patient must make difficult decisions as treatment options are presented by the oncologist. The severity of stage 4 colon cancer as well as the inability to cure cancer at this advanced level makes the fears and concerns even greater. The patient and family have many questions that need to be answered by treating professionals. If treatment facilities are not available in the patient's home town, more decisions need to be made about where to go for treatment and how the family will manage while a member is away. The patient needs to find a specialist who communicates effectively and listens well to concerns and questions.