Most Stage II and Stage III rectal cancers are treated with radiation and possibly chemotherapy prior to surgery
Stage I, II, and even suspected stage III disease are treated by surgical removal of the involved section of the rectum along with the complete vascular and lymphatic supply
Radium therapy would typically be given for localized or early-stage cancers, where the intent is to target and treat the specific cancerous cells in a localized area. It is commonly used in early-stage prostate cancer, gynecological cancers, and certain skin cancers.
Stage III is the second most severe stage of rectal cancer and requires immediate treatment to prevent a fatal episode. For Stage III cancer sufferers who seek immediate treatment, the five-year rate of survival is around 64% and is dependent on a number of different factors.Understanding different stages of rectal cancerAll cancers are caused when normal cell growth accelerates out of control, with the resulting clusters of cells known as tumors. In Stage I cancer, the tumor is localized within the rectum or colon, breaching the first, second and possibly third levels of cellular lining. Stage I cancers are corrected with surgery to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. Stage II cancers have breached the lining of the colon and rectum but have not spread beyond to the lymph nodes. Stage II treatment utilizes surgery and chemotherapy to remove the tumor and prevent remission. Stage III cancers have breached the lining of the rectum and colon and have spread to lymph nodes throughout the body. Stage IV cancer is when tumors have breached the rectal wall and have spread beyond the lymph nodes, to organs such as the lungs and liver.Seeking treatment for any persistent pains, lumps and rashes is absolutely necessary, as these ailments are possible indicators of cancer. Time is essential when dealing with potential cancer growths and medical treatment is recommended immediately; prolonging a visit to the doctor only makes the potential illness worse. Stage III cancer treatmentStage III cancers are sub-classified into an additional three stages based on the number of lymph nodes the cancers have invaded. Regardless of the number of lymph nodes affected, treatment methods for Stage III cancers of all sub-stages are the same; surgery is utilized to removed the cancer and all affected lymph nodes, while chemotherapy is used to kill any remaining cells and prevent cancer recurrence. In the presence of a large tumor, or one invasive to local tissues, radiation therapy is a practical method to kill these cancer cells.Understanding different cancer stages is beneficial to knowing how treatment for Stage III rectal cancer is approached by doctors.
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.
Seventy percent of all uterine cancers are stage I, 10-15% are stage II, and the remainder are stages III and IV
Yes
no cancers are not contagious at an stage.
ERUS is used as a diagnostic procedure in rectal cancer to determine stage of the tumor and as a post-radiation, presurgical examination to assess extent of tumor shrinkage
The tumor is confined to the epithelium or has not penetrated through the first layer of muscle in the rectal wall
Women with early stage breast cancers are usually better candidates for lumpectomy. In most cases, a course of radiation therapy after surgery is part of the treatment
Treatment options vary according to the stage and type of cancer. Some tumors can be removed surgically, while others must be treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.
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