According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 100,000 new cases of colon cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. In its early stage, colon cancer can be removed during a routine colonoscopy. Colon cancer screening and early detection is important to a successful outcome because advanced colon cancer is more difficult to treat. Surgery combined with chemotherapy is used to treat advanced colon cancer.
Treatment
The treatment for advanced colon cancer depends upon your individual health circumstances and the stage of the cancer. Stage 0 colon cancer is the earliest stage, when the cancer is confined to the inner layer of your colon. These cancer growths are removed easily during a colonoscopy. More advanced colon cancers require invasive surgery, chemotherapy and sometimes radiation. Stage I cancer is still confined to the inner colon layers but has spread. In stage II, the cancer has spread through the walls of your colon. Stage III cancer has metastasized to your lymph nodes. In stage IV colon cancer, the cancer has spread throughout your body to other organs; this is the most difficult stage to treat successfully.
Surgery
Surgery is usually required for stages I, II and III. Surgery may not be advised in stage IV, when the cancer has already spread to other organs. With surgery, an attempt is made to remove all of the cancer by taking out part of your colon. If enough of your colon is healthy, your doctor will remove the cancerous portion and sew the healthy ends together. This is called a colon resection. If the cancer has spread throughout your colon, your surgeon may remove most of your colon and attach your large intestine to an opening in your abdomen called a stoma. The contents of your bowels will drain into a bag attached to your stoma. This type of surgery is called a colostomy.
Chemotherapy
According to the National Institutes of Health, chemotherapy is usually administered along with surgery for patients with advanced stage II and III colon cancer. This is done to kill stray cancer cells left behind. A drug called 5-fluorouracil is administered after surgery for six to eight months. Patients with stage IV colon cancer are treated with 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and irinotecan. Sometimes chemotherapy drugs are given in combination for a stronger effect.
Radiation
Radiation therapy may be used to treat colon cancer in an effort to destroy cancerous tissue. Radiation therapy also is indicated in late stages of colon cancer to alleviate symptoms caused by the cancer. Treatment aimed at treating symptoms and improving the quality of life is called palliative therapy.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are an option to consider for advanced colon cancer or recurrent colon cancer when traditional treatment methods do not work. Clinical trials offer experimental therapies, such as unique combinations of current chemotherapy drugs, new medical procedures and drugs new to the market.
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