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Chemotherapy is administered for stage IV disease

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Q: How many Chemo treatments are given for rectal cancer at stage four?
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How is colon cancer treated?

Colon Cancer is treated by one of three ways 1)Surgery-Removal of the tumor 2)Chemotherapy-Drugs used to kill cancer cells 3)Radation-Shrinking of the cancer cells in the body


Is chemo and radiation given before a hysterectomy?

It can be but only if there is cance present as a form of treatment before deciding to remove the organs with the cancerous cells. It is the same reason that chemo/radiation is tried for breast cancer rather than mastectomy etc.


What To Expect With Rectal Cancer?

A diagnosis of rectal cancer can be a frightening experience but once the shock has passed, the first question most people have is "what now?" Depending on the stage and location of the cancer, the treatments will vary. The first three stages of rectal cancers are considered localized. This means that the cancer has not spread beyond the rectal area. For stage I, surgery is often the only treatment required. Stage II and III usually require both chemotherapy and radiation for about six weeks prior to surgery. This treatment plan is used to reduce the size of the tumor, which helps to ensure complete removal during the procedure. Chemotherapy and radiation may be given again following surgery to help minimize the risk of a recurrence. The fourth stage is considered metastatic. This means that the cancer has spread into areas outside of the rectal area. This stage is generally treated with chemotherapy alone unless there are other complications associated with the rectal mass. Some complications that can occur are bleeding or even bowel obstruction and would be treated with either surgery or radiation. Rectal surgeries can be difficult due to the proximity to the anal sphincter. If damaged, this muscle would be unable to hold the stool in the rectum and the patient would then require a colostomy. A colostomy is when there is an external bag attached to the colon through the abdomen where fecal waste will be eliminated. Chemotherapy treatments may vary significantly depending on the current studies; however, the most common medications used include 5-Fluorouracil, Xeloda, Eloxatin, Camptosar, Avastin, and Erbitux. These may be given in conjunction with others or used alone and may be given at various times throughout the treatment plan. In addition, other medications may be used during treatment to prevent side effects. Radiation therapy is also used to destroy any cancerous cells that may have been missed during surgery. These treatments are painless and last only a few minutes at a time. There are often side effects but they usually resolve quickly once treatment is complete. Follow up care is the key to long-term survival due to the risk of rectal cancer recurrence.


Why are cancer people so moody?

Even the strongest of men or women can tremble when they hear the word 'cancer' or nicknamed 'the big C.' Some patients are in shock when they learn they have cancer and even if the prognosis is favorable they have to live with the fear of the cancer possibly coming back. Some types of cancer require Chemo and Radiation and here are some side effects of those treatments: * Cancer fatigue (caused by not only treatment, but anxiousness over the disease.) Sometimes the possible cure is worse than the disease itself. * Anaemia * The patient is tired of being poked and prodded. * Has difficulty sleeping after receiving Chemo or Radiation and no sleeping Aids or water can be given to the patient for some hours after treatment. * Change of medications * Can't eat well while having had a treatment of Chemo, Radiation or both. * Excessive vomiting * Loss of Weight * Loss of Hair Most cancer patients don't want pity, but are worried about themselves, their loved ones and if they will basically live or die. It depends on the prognosis, so it's quite understandable some cancer patients would be on the 'touchy' or 'moody' side.


Rectal Cancer Treatment?

Cancer occurs when the DNA of cells in your body are altered, resulting in the unregulated abnormal growth of structures called tumors. One area that commonly sees problems with tumor growth is around the rectal tissue, commonly referred to as rectal cancer. In fact, more than an estimated 40,000 new cases of rectal cancer are diagnosed each year, according to the National Cancer Institute. When these cases occur, there are several forms of treatment available depending on the severity of the cancer.Surgical RemovalThe option of surgery to remove rectal cancer depends on how far along your cancer is, and whether it has become metastatic, spreading to other tissues of your body. With new technology available, surgery for rectal cancer can now often be done through less invasive laparoscopic surgery. While some early cases may be removed with surgery alone, it is also common to combine surgery with other forms of treatment like radiation or chemotherapy.RadiationRadiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to kill off cancer cells and shrink tumors of the rectal tissue. This helps prevent cancer from spreading, as well as can help reduce tumors to a size that can be more easily removed surgically. In radiation, the treatment can be highly focused to a specific area, reducing the side effects that are seen with more systemic treatments like chemotherapy. This also reduces the damage to surrounding tissues.ChemotherapyWhen cancer has spread outside of the rectal tissue, a more system-wide treatment is needed to ensure that all cancer cells are destroyed. When this is the case, chemotherapy is used, especially in cases where cancer cells have affected nearby lymph nodes. Chemotherapy is a drug that can be given either orally or intravenously. This allows the drugs to travel throughout the body and target cancer cells. Unfortunately, chemotherapy targets all fast dividing cells in the body, which can result in common side effects like hair loss and nail loss, along with a long list of other possible side effects. Chemotherapy is often used to make cancer cells more susceptible to treatment by radiation, or to shrink cancer tumors to a level where surgery can be more effective.


Wt is chemothearpy?

is whenf nfkv Chemotherapy is one way of treating cancer patients. It is differant for every patient and what the chemicals are and how much of each is determined by a blood test and administered via an I/V patients who have been getting chemo sometimes have a shunt placed in the upper arm through which the medicine can be given, as too many injections weaken the veins and make it harder to find a vein. I have seen patients who have chemo and took my-brother-inlaw to chemo and have yet to see a cure. The only thing chemo does is slow down the process, in hope that a cure can be found before the cancer wins again/


How soon after diagnosis should breast cancer treatment begin?

This depends on the type and stage of the breastcancer and the age of the patient. Treatments vary. Lets say mastectomy surgery, chemo and radiation , it will take at least one year. Chemo is given in cycles 4-6 month, radiation is given daily 5 days a week 34-38 treatments. Sometimes for a longer period of time. The treating doctor can give the best estimate.


Should you take chemo if you already have an 80 percent chance that the cancer will not come back. I am very perplexed as I am wondering if alternative lifestyle choices and living may be better?

First of all let me say that this is a very personal question that only the patient can decide. Think of it like gambling. 80% is a good chance that it wont come back, but does that 80% include the treatment with chemo? How would you feel (full of regret, hating yourself for not doing it) if the cancer did come back.The best advice is seek a second opinion and weigh the benefits vs the risk.AnswerA healthy lifestyle going forward will definitely help. However, given the new and improved chemo protocols, depending on the type of cancer you have and your general health, the best choice may be to follow the recommendations. Your quality of life will improve as you get through all of the treatments, and most likely you will have a longer remission or avoid recurrence entirely.


Should children be vaccinated for HPV?

Yes. Vaccination for HPV can reduce the risk of HPV (Human papiloma virus) infection, genital warts, and cervical cancer in women and penile and rectal cancer in men. The HPV vaccine Gardasil was first recommended for use in women, but it is not recommended for use in males and females to further reduce the incidence HPV, genital warts, cervical cancer, penile cancer, and rectal cancer. Ideally, the vaccine should be given to girls and boys before adolescence, usually between ages 9 and 13, because the vaccine must be given before HPV exposure. Just as boys and girls are routinely immunized for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, hepatitus A and B, diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, and chicken pox, they should also be routinely vaccinated for HPV, which protects them from HPV infection, genital warts, and cervical, penile, and rectal cancers caused by HPV.


Can chemotheropy kill you if given to much?

I'm not a doctor, but my thoughts are if chemicals designed to kill cancer cells, which are mutated regular cells are introduced to your body in the wrong areas or in too large an amount, that could due a wee bit of damage to your body. Yes. Chemo kills more people than cancer.


Is surgery is necessary after diagnose with colon cancer?

Surgery is the very first treatment after colon cancer positive diagnosis. Surgery is done to remove the cancerous growths from colon or rectum. For the cancer diagnosis at advance stages other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be given along with surgery.


What is palliative cancer therapy?

Palliative care is care that is meant to make a person feel better. Palliative chemotherapy is chemo given to help relieve the symptoms of cancer and to make a person feel better, with less pain, easier breathing, etc. The goal is not to cure the cancer.