Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: There is Hope

Colon Cancer Treatment At Each Stage

Colon cancer is incredibly common, but that doesn't mean you have to be another statistic. If you have recently been told you may have colon cancer, you may be wondering about treatment. As with most cancers, treatment depends on the cancer's stage. If you would like to know more, keep reading.

Stage 0         

Stage 0 colon cancers haven't grown beyond the mucus lining of the colon. This makes treatment incredibly easy. The doctor often performs a colonoscopy and cuts out the polyps and any affected tissue. In some cases, if the tumor is large, a small portion of the colon needs to be removed.

Stage I

Stage I colon cancers have spread into the deeper layers of the colon wall, but they have not grown into other tissues. In some cases, removing the polyp is still enough to treat stage I colon cancers. However, if the edges of the polyp contain any cancer cells, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove more tissue.

Stage II

Stage II consists of IIA, IIB, and IIC. In all stages, the cancer has spread outside the wall of the colon. Stage IIA means it has not spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes. At stage IIB, the cancer has spread to the lining of the abdomen, but it has not reached the lymph nodes. Last, stage IIC refers to tumors that have spread to nearby structures but not the lymph nodes.

Treatment usually requires surgery to remove the affected tissue. This may include a partial colectomy and removal of any other affected tissue. Many doctors also recommend radiation and/or chemotherapy before and/or after surgery.

Stage III

At stage III, the tumor has spread to nearby lymph nodes, but not other parts of the body. Depending on how many lymph nodes are affected, you may be diagnosed with stage IIIA, stage IIIB, or stage IIIC.

At this stage, you usually need surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Surgery may include removing part of the rectum and nearby tissue, but the surgeon must also remove the affected lymph nodes.

Stage IV                          

If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and/or the peritoneum, you have stage IV colon cancer. The cancer can spread to any part of the body, but it often spreads to the lungs and liver. Treatment may include:

• Chemotherapy (main treatment method)
• Radiation
• Targeted therapy, like medications, that affect your immune system
• Surgery to remove the cancerous tissue

If you have colon cancer, it's time to seek treatment. The more the cancer progresses, the harder the treatment. If you would like to know more about cancer treatment, contact an oncologist in your area today.