Colon Cancer Treatment
Colon cancer treatment includes various methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, targeted therapy, and cryotherapy.
What are the treatments for colon (intestinal) cancer?
Colon cancer treatment, is determined based on the stage (the size of the tumor, how far it has spread to the bowel wall, and whether it has metastasized to the lymph nodes or distant organs). The treatment plan is shaped according to this stage.
What is the treatment for colon (intestinal) cancer according to its stages?
Colon cancer treatment varies depending on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s overall health:
Stage 0 (Carcinoma In Situ): At this stage, cancer is limited to the surface of the bowel and has not spread to deeper layers. Cancerous cells can generally be completely removed by polypectomy or local excision. No additional treatment is usually needed after surgery.
Stage 1: The cancer has advanced to deeper layers of the bowel wall, but it has not spread to the lymph nodes. Surgical treatment (partial colectomy) is generally sufficient. Chemotherapy or radiotherapy is usually not required.
Stage 2: The tumor has grown beyond the bowel wall but has not spread to the lymph nodes. The cancerous bowel section and surrounding healthy tissue are removed. After surgery, chemotherapy may be considered for some patients. Targeted therapy may be considered for patients with certain genetic mutations.
Stage 3: The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes but has not spread to distant organs. The bowel segment and affected lymph nodes are surgically removed. Chemotherapy is typically administered after surgery (e.g., Folfox or Capox regimens). Targeted therapy may be added for some patients.
Stage 4 (Metastatic Colon Cancer): The cancer has spread to distant organs such as the liver, lungs, or other areas. If metastasis is limited, liver or lung metastases can be surgically removed. Chemotherapy is generally the primary treatment. Targeted therapy may be effective for patients with certain genetic mutations. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may be used to eliminate metastatic tumors, and cryotherapy, which destroys cancerous tissue by freezing it, can also be applied.
What are the treatments for colon (intestinal) cancer?
Colon cancer treatment is applied using different methods depending on the stage and spread of the disease. Surgical treatment is the most effective method for removing cancerous tissue in the early stages. Chemotherapy is used to destroy cancer cells or control their growth, while radiotherapy is applied to shrink tumors, especially in rectal cancer. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy may be effective for patients with certain genetic features. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryotherapy are alternative methods used to destroy tumors in metastatic colon cancer.
1. Surgical Treatment
Surgery is the most common method for treating colon cancer. In the early stages, removing the tumor is generally sufficient. In advanced stages, the affected bowel section along with lymph nodes may also be removed.
The surgical methods used in colon cancer treatment include:
- Local excision
- Partial colectomy (removal of a bowel segment)
- Total colectomy (removal of the entire colon)
2. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells. It is generally used after surgery or in advanced stages of the disease.
Commonly used chemotherapy drugs include:
- 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)
- Oxaliplatin
- Capecitabine
3. Targeted Therapy
This treatment uses drugs that target specific genetic changes in cancer cells.
Notable drugs include:
- Bevacizumab: Targets blood vessels that feed tumors by preventing blood vessel formation.
- Cetuximab (Erbitux): Targets the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) pathway to stop the growth of cancer cells.
4. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency ablation is used to destroy liver or lung metastases in metastatic colon cancer. A fine electrode is placed into the tumor, and high-frequency heat is applied to destroy the cancer cells.
5. Cryotherapy Treatment
This method destroys cancerous tissue by freezing it. It is typically used in cases where surgery cannot be performed or in metastatic cases.
For more detailed information about colon cancer in Pendik, feel free to contact us through our contact page.
Sources:
- American Cancer Society (ACS)
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Mayo Clinic
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
- MD Anderson Cancer Center