Colorectal Cancer Treatments

Author

Large bowel cancer is another name for colorectal cancer. These refer to cancerous tumors that may develop in the colon and rectum.

The gastrointestinal tract includes the colon (the uppermost 5 or 6 feet of the large intestine) and the rectum (the lowest 5 to 7 inches just above the anal canal).

The ideal treatment for colorectal cancer relies on several variables, including:

• Cancer’s stage, tumor size, and location
• If cancer has returned
• The general health of the individual

Surgery, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy are available options. Palliative care may also enhance the quality of life while managing symptoms like pain.

Medical progress has reduced the death rate. Additionally, as the 2021 study notes, more diagnoses are being made in those under 50, presumably due to advancements in screening.

The following is a list of CRC treatments:

Surgery: During surgery, the tumor and part of the surrounding healthy tissue are removed. The following surgical options:

• Laparoscopic surgery that includes smaller incisions, quicker healing
• Colostomy for rectal cancer: A surgical incision used to remove waste that might be either temporary or permanent
• Radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation are options for malignancies that have progressed to the liver or lungs.

Radiation Therapy (radiotherapy): X-rays with high energy are used to find and kill cancer cells.

• Radiation treatment using an external beam
• Treatment with stereotactic radiation
• Intraoperative radiation therapy: Radiation used during surgery
• Brachytherapy: If cancer has gone to the liver, radioactive “seeds” will be injected into the organ.
• Chemoradiation: Rectal cancer patients should first undergo chemoradiation, a mix of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Chemotherapy: The process of using a single medicine or a group of medications to kill or eliminate cancer cells, often by preventing their expansion, multiplication, and duplication.

Immunotherapy: Developed to strengthen the patient’s immune system and other natural protections in the battle against cancer. It often uses substances generated by the body or in a lab to enhance, target, or restore immune system functionality.

Targeted therapy: Treatment focuses on genes, proteins, or cancer’s environment. It often prevents the development and progression of cancer while causing the least harm to healthy tissue.

In India, colorectal cancer is the seventh most common cancer. But one might get better care thanks to the abundance of professionals. The following medical professionals treat colorectal cancer:

• Medical oncologist: A medical oncologist serves as the primary doctor for your cancer health team and manages the entire course of therapy for many patients with rectal and colon cancer. Your oncologist will choose the right time and mix different cancer therapies.

• Radiation oncologist: Radiation oncologists utilize radiation therapy for treating cancer, which involves utilizing powerful x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells.

• Colorectal surgeon: Colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, incontinence, and infections are just a few of the diseases that colorectal surgeons, highly skilled subspecialists, can detect and treat.

• Surgical oncologist: Surgical oncologists do surgery to treat cancer, which may include removing the tumor and surrounding tissue. This kind of surgeon may also carry out certain biopsies to aid cancer diagnosis.

• Gastroenterologist: A gastroenterologist, sometimes known as a GI doctor, is a medical professional who identifies and treats disorders affecting the liver and digestive system. For regular colorectal cancer screening, you could also visit one.

Ideally it should be team of surgical, medical and radiation oncologist who should decide which treatment is suitable  or best for  the  given patient. 

Learn more about colon cancer

The following are some adverse reactions to therapies for colorectal cancer:

• Reduced Appetite
• Changes in Bowel Habits
• Stomach ache
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Tiredness
• A tingling or numb feeling

Multiple types of treatment, like surgery, cancer drugs, and/or radiation therapy, may be part of a person’s cancer treatment strategy.

This implies that various oncologists and other medical professionals collaborate to develop a patient’s comprehensive treatment strategy.