Colon Cancer Treatment Options

If you or your loved one is diagnosed with colon cancer, there are many treatment options available. They vary by stage of the cancer. Each type of treatment has risk and benefits associated with it.

Local excision or polypectomy

These two types of surgery are very similar. A local excision is when a tumor is removed without damaging surrounding cells. Polypectomy is utilized before a tumor develops. This surgery removes polyps that could potentially become cancerous tumors. Both of these treatments are used to combat stage zero colon cancer. Early detection and these methods can stop the cancers' progression in many cases.

Resection and anastomosis

For more advanced forms of colon cancer, a combination of resection and anastomosis are utilized. These more invasive forms of surgery are necessary when tumors are too large for removal by local excision. Resection is the removal of part or an organ. In the case of colon cancer, this is usually a tumorous section of the colon. Following resection, anastomosis is performed to reconnect to separate sections. These two surgeries are used often in the treatment of stage 2 and 3 colon cancer. It is also used in stage 4 treatments, but with a combination of other therapies.

Chemotherapy and radiation

Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancerous cells using a combination of potent drugs. Radiation therapy achieves the same goal of killing cancerous cells through the use of use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays and similar sources. Both methods are only used for the treatment of advanced stage cancer due to the many unpleasant side effects.

Many options are available for colon cancer treatment and they offer high success rates when it is detected early. Before considering any option, speak with a doctor to thoroughly weigh the pros and cons of each treatment.

Many options are available for colon cancer treatment