If
you (or a loved one) are concerned about developing colorectal cancer, are
going through treatment, or have just been diagnosed, here is what you need to
know about the condition and treatment options.
Overview
Colorectal
cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum, parts of the large
intestine. The colon, also termed the large bowel, is a muscular organ that
measure about five feet in length. The rectum forms the last six inches of the
digestive system. The walls of the colon and rectum are formed of many layers
of tissues. Colorectal cancer typically starts from the innermost layer and
gradually spreads outward, penetrating a few or all of the layers. The extent
of spread determines the stage of the tumor.
Most
colorectal cancers start as a polyp – a tissue growth that develops in the
lining of the colon and rectum. While there are different types of polyps, not
all are cancerous. A type of polyp, referred to as adenoma, can become cancerous.
Treating or removing a polyp early is the first step in preventing colorectal
cancer.
Treating Colorectal Cancer
There
are four main types of treatment for colorectal cancer including surgery,
chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy. The choice of treatment at
Philadelphia cancer treatment center depends on various
factors such as the stage of the tumor, its size and location, overall health
of the patient etc. Your doctor may recommend two or more types of treatment
that are either used one after the other or at the same time.
Surgery:
Early stages of colorectal tumors may be completely removed using colonoscopy.
Larger polyps may require laparoscopic surgery, a procedure where your surgeon makes
incisions in the abdominal wall and inserts instruments with attached camera to
view the insides of your colon. Partial colostomy may be recommended if the
cancer has invaded through or into your colon. When it is not possible to
reconnect the healthy portions of your colon or rectum, as it is in the case of
cancers at the outlet of the rectum, a temporary colostomy may be recommended.
Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill the tumor cells. This type of
treatment is used to destroy abnormal cells that may remain after a surgery, to
relieve symptoms of colorectal cancer or to control growth of the tumor. If the
tumor has spread to the lymph nodes or beyond the walls of the colon or rectum,
your doctor at cancer treatment center in Philadelphia
may recommend chemotherapy. Individuals with rectal cancer are
typically treated through a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Radiation
Therapy: In this type of treatment, powerful energy beams are used to destroy
tumor cells that may remain post surgery. Radiation therapy is also used to
relieve a patient of colorectal cancer symptoms or to shrink big tumors prior
to a surgery.
Targeted
Therapy: Targeted therapy uses drugs that target specific defects that let the
tumor cells to grow. This type of treatment is typically recommended for
individuals with advanced stages of the condition.
A
diagnosis of cancer can be extremely challenging. Knowing what to expect
and taking time for yourself may make dealing with cancer easier.
