Colon cancer treatment Option

Colon Cancer and Treatment Options:

Colon cancer is a very fatal disease, in particular, if diagnosed too late. However, treatment success for those who suffer from disease has increased, as has the survival rate. This is due to early prevention along with the development of new therapies for colon cancer. In fact, many early diagnosed colon cancer patients, if treated promptly, are reported to achieve a full recovery from the disease.

The course of therapy varies in different patients regarding the treatment of colon cancer. There are a number of factors that are considered including the state of health of patients and the location and the size of the tumor as well as the severity of colon cancer that are considered by Oncologists (doctors specialized in cancer diagnosis and treatment) in choosing a therapy. The three primary colon cancer treatments include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As the case may be, a combination of these treatments may be employed for the patient.

For early stages of colon cancer (Stage 0 & Stage I), surgery is the treatment of choice. These are the stages wherein cancer is confined locally and has affected a small portion of the colon only. The procedure may range from polypectmy to partial colostomy. Polypectomy is the surgical removal of a polyp in the colon and it is even possibly done during colonoscopy as long as the tumor (polyp) is small enough. On the other hand, partial colostomy is the resection of the affected portion of the colon and adjacent lymph nodes. The two procedures discussed do not require any other additional treatment like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The surgery alone can successfully eradicate the disease with a good prognosis as long as the malignant tissues were completely removed.

Regarding Phase II colon cancer treatments, surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended by doctors in most cases. At this stage, where cancer has penetrated the wall of the colon and affected adjacent tissue but has not yet infected the lymph nodes, or spread (metastases). At this point, an operation is generally required to remove the tumor tissues and lymph nodes. Chemotherapy can also be performed, according to the presence of certain circumstances caused by cancer such as:

1. Perforation, or the presence of a hole or holes in the wall of the colon;

2. The presence of a high degree of malignancy;

3. No more than 12 lymph nodes removed surgically;

4. In the case of malignant cells that were removed from the colon show activity micro satellite instability (MSI);

5. Adjacent organs also infected by cancer.

6. The obstruction of the large intestine.

For stage III colon cancer, the malignancy typically involves the colon, nearby tissues and lymph nodes but not the distant parts of the body. The standard treatment recommended for this stage is partial colostomy and adjuvant chemotherapy as well as possible radiation therapy as the case requires. However, the surgical treatment can only be indicated for patients whose general health status can still tolerate the procedure. Otherwise, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are more likely the treatment of choice.

In the stage of colon cancer known as phase IV, operation is typically is the least favored option. Usually the best option in radiation therapy and chemotherapy. At this point, the malignancy is generally spread from the colon and lymphatic nodes and has distributed itself among other organs of the body. For cancer can often be detected in the lungs, liver, organs of the organs and peritoneum and the ovaries. Chemotherapy administered intravenous drugs or by mouth. These drugs are intended to destroy cancer cells. Metastases of other organs, malignant cells, not colon cancer tissue if heavy together with the operation. But if sufficiently large, chemotherapy drugs to reduce the size of the tumor prior to surgery. On the other hand, ionizing radiation and radiation therapy also be taken to reduce this tumor. But most often the procedures are performed in the interest of the comfort of the patent and does alleviate some of the symptoms of cancer, but certainly. Unfortunately, there is a very poor prognosis at this stage of cancer.

Overall, there are several options for colon cancer treatment. However, the best time to undergo such any of the treatment is during the earlier stage of the disease. It is significant that any individual risk for colon cancer undergoes certain diagnostic exams regularly for early detection because definitely cancer has a treatment and a good prognosis is possible.

 Treatment for Colon Cancer:

Colon cancer therapy is a vital process dealing with tumors or polyps that form in colon areas and also includes preventive as well as post-treatment care methods. Therapy can be undergone in various forms and patterns depending upon the scope of cancerous growth and nature of tumors formed in the region.

Colon Cancer Therapy in Detail

This colon cancer can be tackled well if detected and treated in the initial stages when the tumors do not really metastasize to various local or regional areas of colon. Also, the chances of good colon cancer survival rate are much higher in the initial stages as compared to advanced ones and give an advantage to victim of undergoing through comparatively less mental and physical sufferings. This also helps in keeping a check on possibilities of colon cancer recurrence.

Therapy needs to be executed after considering various vital parameters that form the basis of colon cancer development in a person. The disease is prevalent in both men and women and is slightly more common in males. Also, the numbers of deaths due to cancer of colon are slightly higher in males as compared to females. Main reason for a reasonably high numbers of deaths due to colon cancer is the location of colon in human body. The organ is located very close to some of the vital parts like bowel, rectum, and lungs and forms an important part of digestive system. Any kind of cancerous development in colon severely impacts functioning of all other organs falling within the scope of cancerous growth and leads to fast metastasis of tumors to remote areas of the body.

Metastasis of tumors in primary form of colon cancer is easy to detect and control as compared to that occurring in the secondary form of colon cancer. Hence, one should also analyze the pattern and origin of tumors before undergoing a particular kind of colon cancer therapy.

Different Therapies

Colon cancer needs to be treated in a systematic and phased manner to avoid unnecessary health complications in future. Incorrect of inefficient therapy is one of the major causes of recurrence of the disease. Hence, one must undergo thorough diagnosis under proper medical supervision before deciding upon intensity of therapy to be undergone.

Surgery is the most frequently and commonly adopted technique for treating colon tumors. It can be carried out in various forms and intensities and is usually recommended in early phases when the tumors have not gained an ability to metastasize or spread to remote regions. Surgery can fetch better results if done before the cancer cells infect blood-cells or lymph nodes. Local excision is an effective form of surgery to remove local small-sized polyps. Resection, colostomy, and laparoscopy are some other forms of surgeries undergone to treat the disorder. Some surgeries like colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are also useful as diagnostic methods. Cryosurgery is also a useful form of therapy.

Radiotherapy is another important form of therapy and involves treating tumors by passage of radiations. Generally, this therapy is recommended for advanced phases as exposure to radiations may put a very bad impact on victim's body and cause severe side-effects in long-run. Chemotherapy is a kind of therapy that involves intake of various medically prescribed medical drugs or chemicals in order to keep a proper check on cancerous growth in colon.

This cancer therapy is usually in the form of targeted therapy and involves focusing on only the affected region without causing any considerable damage to adjacent vital tissues and cells. Therapy plays a vital role in safe recovery of the victim.