Colon Cancer

After hearing the diagnosis of colon cancer, a patient's immediate response is “what is the treatment for colon cancer and when can we begin?” The patient whose colon cancer is found in the early stage is very fortunate. Early detection leads to treatments that can result in a cure. In choosing from among a variety of treatments for colon cancer, the physician will bring in an oncologist as part of the treatment team.

If the colon cancer is found from a fecal occult blood test, then a colonoscopy is scheduled to get a full view of the intestines so the location of the cancer can be found. In other cases, a patient who has a routine colonoscopy is one step ahead in the treatment options. During the colonoscopy, small polyps can be removed for further lab evaluation.

Treatments for colon cancer depend on the stage or extent of the disease.When the colon cancer is found to be at a more progressed level, Stage II or III, additional surgery may be required. For advanced cancer with tumors that have damaged the intestines or protruded through the intestinal wall, the surgeon may have to removed a portion of the damaged area. The colon is resectioned and rejoined surgically.

Chemotherapy is not used for treatment in the early stage of colon cancer. Whether it is used in Stage II cancer depends on the treatment plan determined by the oncologist. The usual plan is to introduce chemotherapy for colon cancer at Stage III. Patients with Stage III colon cancer would have corrective surgery first then begin the chemotherapy treatments. The chemotherapy drug 5-Fluoruracil is the most common choice and is given in a series of treatments over six to eight months. Some Stage III patients may also receive radiation.

By Stage IV, treatments for colon cancer combine a series of chemotherapy drugs in oral or intravenous form. Radiation may or may not be considered depending on the location of the cancer and whether or not rectal cancer is involved. If the colon cancer spreads to the liver, a different treatment, burning or freezing sections of the liver may be the only remaining option.

Treatments for colon cancer in the early stages seek to remove the cancer and take out any polyps that could become cancerous. With ongoing monitoring annually, a person who remains cancer free is considered cured. For patients in the later stages, the treatments for colon cancer focus on removing the cancer, containing it to avoid spread to other organs and rapidly treating any instances of cancer spread.

Entering treatment for colon cancer is emotionally challenging for patients who fear the outcome. Here's where early detection and regular colonoscopy screenings after age 50 make all the difference. Early detection and treatment survival rates are close to 90%. Even in Stage II and III, treatments for colon cancer are advanced to the level of improved results. Sadly for those whose cancer is found in Stage IV, treatments for colon cancer are limited and survival rates are low.

Treating Colon Cancer Without Surgery |