Colon cancer is a very common cancer form in the US, affecting people from both the genders, occurring in the patient’s large intestine, in the colon, and the end of it at the rectum. The cancer cells form in the colon tissues, and the disease is a serious one, especially since there are no signs at its onset. It may affect any age group between the teen to old age. Typically the causes have been associated with low fiber with high calorie food habits. Thus in order to prevent this disease, high fiber and low fats should be consumed.

Colon cancer treatment options are chemotherapy, radiation surgery. In case of metastatic form of colon cancer showing a tumor spread in the other body areas, surgery is used to remove the cancer cells. Future complications such as the bowel blockage and bleeding can also be avoided. In Intra-arterial colon cancer chemotherapy treatment large drug doses are given to treat the cause. However for reduction of nausea and vomiting sort of side effects, the chemotherapy maybe given in small doses over a long span the time period, (termed as, fractionated-dose).

Colon cancer prognosis

If the disease is suspected, the patient undergoes a physical exam. The report is presented to the physician, who may after studying the report and talking about the symptoms decide if the disease is present or not. Other important tests include CBC or complete blood count, DRE or digital rectal system, FOBT or fecal occult blood test, CT scan, PET scan, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy , etc.

Colon cancer treatments

While the old form of treatment of colon can cancer is surgery, the new colon cancer treatment form includes chemotherapy and radiation. However, surgery still continues to be given a lot of importance, even against the other two newly developed advanced colon cancer treatment options. The choice and treatment with chemotherapy varies according to type and stage of cancer, the patient’s age, health, etc.

The types of surgery for treatment of colon cancer are:

a. Proctectomy: This is the therapy involving a surgical removal or excision of the of the cancer cells. The process is an impatient procedure where the forms of proctectomy are abdominoperineal resection or APR and lower anterior resection. In the ILR or low resection, cancer in the upper rectum region is removed (near the sigmoid colon of the S-shape). After the removal, the colon gets connected to the lower rectum part’s healthy tissues. In the APR, the lower rectum’s cancer, near the sphincter muscles (located around the bowel region, helping in bowel controls) or anus, is removed. This is followed by a process called colostomy, where an alternative way is created for excreting waste.

b. Colectomy: This includes three nodes, i.e., complimantary, colostomy and colectomy medicine therapies. The Laparoscopic colectomy, which is a surgery creating a small over-the-belly or around the area of abdominal cavity incision. The basic idea behind creating these incisions is to create a point from where surgical instruments like the laparoscope can be used. Colostomy, of both permanent and temporary forms varies according to the extent of the colectomy surgery done. This surgery is performed only when the colons healthy portions are not found to be connected to each other. An artificial waste opening might be created in order to make up for the problems caused by attaching the colon tissues to the patient’s skin.

c. Radiofrequency ablation: This uses the technology of powerful micro waves, for destroying the cancer cells formed along the order of metastatic colorectal. These are the rapidly multiplying cells. With the given treatment, the liver tumors causing cancer can be liquefied without causing any risk or discomfort to the patient. The ultra sound, radiofrequency guidance is send to the tumors in the liver. These heat waves gradually damage the cells of cancer.

B. chemotherapy for Colon cancer
Chemotherapy, a cancer treatment form is an effective way to treat the disease by using such drugs that eliminate the cancer cells and stops its growth by reproduction. Nevertheless, it has some side effects too. The two methods of chemotherapy are chemotherapy testing of resistance and chemotherapy with fractionated dose. The dose of fractioned chemotherapy varies according to the tumor stage, size and colorectal type. One large drug dose maybe given or several small dosages maybe prescribed such that the treatment runs for a long time span. Resistance tests of chemotherapy maybe conducted by testing a sample of tumor against a list of anti cancer medicines. Growth of cancer cells in heavy presence of given drugs shows resistance against their effects. It helps decide the correct drug selection for treatment for colon cancer.

C. Radiation therapy for colon cancer treatment
This may be done singularly or along with chemotherapy or surgery. There has been considerable development in this field of therapy, thus causing a reduction in side effects, also enhancing the treatment results. Some radiation therapies are:

a. Thera-sphere: it is less toxic as compared to others. Radiations to liuver tumors are delivered using microspheres and small glass beds. Liver blood vessels, feeding the tumor trap the microspheres. Healthy tissues are hardly affected, and radiation is done on the metastatic colorectal tumor.

b. Tomo Therapy: it helps second-time cancer patients, using, along with CT scanner, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy. Damage to the healthy tissues is avoided.

c. HDR Brachytherapy: this implies High Dose Rate, directly targeting the colorectal cancer tumor, reducing rectal and colon damage, in shorter time span. A catheter implantation into colorectal cancer tumor delivers the HDR Brachytherapy. Thereafter, powerful radiation is delivered using a slim plastic tube.

d. IMRT or the Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy: this treatment option allows placing of the radioactive source on the tumor directly to further spare the surrounding tissues, also reducing the side effects.

D. New colon cancer and treatment therapies:
These are not commonly found, owing to lack of experience, funds and expertise.

E. Omplementary colon cancer therapies:
These are used with conventional treatments, for reducing the side effects to better the patient’s general life.