Options for Advanced Stage Colon Cancer Treatment

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Medical Video: Colon Cancer Treatment

The advanced stage of colon cancer is stage III and stage IV. What are the treatment options available for advanced colon cancer?

Treatment options for advanced colon cancer

Stage III

In this stage, the cancer has spread to the closest lymph nodes, but has not spread to other parts of the body.

The treatment of stage III colon cancer is generally surgery to remove a portion of the large intestine that has cancer together with the nearest lymph node (partial colectomy), followed by chemotherapy. Both the FOLFOX (5-FU, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) regimens or CapeOx (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) are most commonly used, but some patients can get 5-FU with leucovorin or capecitabine alone based on their age and health needs.

Your doctor can also recommend the use of radiation therapy if your surgeon thinks that some cancer cells may remain after surgery.In people who are not healthy enough for surgery, radiation and / or chemo therapy can be an option.

Stage IV

Cancer has spread from the large intestine to organs and tissues that are located far away in the body. Colon cancer most often spreads to the liver, but can also spread to other places such as the lungs, peritoneum (wall of the abdominal cavity), or lymph nodes located far away.

In most cases, surgery tends not to cure this cancer. However, if the area of ​​cancer spread (metastasis) found in the liver or lungs is only small in size and can be fully removed along with colon cancer, surgery can help you live longer and maybe even heal you. This means a partial colectomy to remove the part of the large intestine that has cancer along with the closest lymph nodes, plus surgery to remove the area of ​​spread of the cancer. Chemo is also usually given, before and / or after surgery. In some cases, infusion of the liver arteries can be used if the cancer has spread to the liver.

If metastasis cannot be removed surgically because the size is too large or the amount is too much, chemo can be given before surgery. Then, if the tumor shrinks, surgery can be tried. Kemo will then be given again after the operation. Another option is to destroy the tumor in the liver by ablation or embolization.

If the cancer has spread too broadly to try to cure it with surgery, then chemo becomes the main treatment. Surgery is sometimes needed if the cancer is blocking the large intestine (or tends to clog). Sometimes, the operation can be avoided by inserting a stent (metal hose or hollow plastic) into the large intestine in a colonoscopy to keep it open. If not, surgery such as a colectomy or a diversion colostomy (cutting the large intestine at the level above the cancer and attaching the tip to a hole in the stomach skin to allow bowel movements) can be used.

If you have stage IV cancer and the doctor recommends surgery, it is very important for you to understand the purpose of surgery - whether to cure cancer or to prevent or relieve the symptoms of this disease.

Most stage IV cancer patients will get chemo and / or targeted therapy to control cancer.

The choice of regimen can depend on a number of factors, including all the treatments you have taken and your overall health. If one of these regimens is no longer effective, another option can be tried.

For advanced cancer, radiation therapy can also be used to help prevent or relieve symptoms such as pain. Although this can shrink the tumor for that time, this therapy tends not to lead to recovery. If the doctor recommends radiation therapy, it is important for you to understand the purpose of this treatment.

How big is the chance of colon cancer recurrence?

Recurrent cancer means cancer cells have returned after treatment. Recurrence can be local (near the initial tumor area), or can attack organs that are located far away.

If the cancer recurs locally, surgery (often followed by chemo) can sometimes help you live longer and can even heal you. If the cancer cannot be removed surgically, chemo can be tried first. If chemo is enough to shrink the tumor, surgery can be an option. This will then be followed again by chemo.

If the cancer recurs at a location far away in the body, chances are that the cancer will appear first in the liver. Surgery can be an option in some cases. If not, chemo can be tried first to shrink the tumor, which can then be followed by surgery. If the cancer has spread too broadly to be treated surgically, chemo and / or targeted therapy can be used. Possible regimens are the same as stage IV cancer. Your choice will depend on, if any, the drugs you use before the cancer recurs and how long you have used / received it, as well as your health. Surgery can still be needed at a point to eliminate or prevent blockage of the large intestine and to prevent other local complications. Radiation therapy can also be an option for relieving symptoms in some cases.

This cancer is often difficult to treat, so you should ask your doctor whether you are eligible for a new treatment clinical trial.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Options for Advanced Stage Colon Cancer Treatment
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