What Are the Treatments for Cancer in the Sigmoid Colon?

Cancer of the sigmoid colon occurs in the lower portion of the colon that is closest to the rectum. Cancer develops from noncancerous polyps on the colon walls. Doctors may treat sigmoid colon cancer with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Early Stage Cancer

• According to the Mayo Clinic, early stage colon cancer may be discovered during a colonoscopy examination and small cancers may be completely removed during the colonoscopy procedure.

Invasive Cancer

• Invasive colon cancer that has grown through the colon may require a colectomy procedure to surgically remove the area of the sigmoid colon that contains the cancer and any nearby tissue.

Advanced Cancer

• Advanced colon cancer may cause a blockage in the colon that may be surgically removed. Palliative treatment may be used to relieve pain in patients with incurable advanced cancer.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy uses special drugs to kill cancer cells and may be performed in combination with cancer surgery.

Radiation Therapy

• Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to kill colon cancer tumors. Radiation may be used to shrink tumors prior to surgery.