What Are the Treatments for Stage 2 Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer is a cancer type characterized by the unrestrained maturation and proliferation of malignant cells lining the colon. Frequently, rectal cancer (cancer developing in the rectum) also develops along with colon cancer, thus together they are known as colorectal cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, close to 100,000 new cases of colon cancer are detected and diagnosed every year in America, and nearly 40,000 die as a result of the disease.

Stages of Colon Cancer

• Like the majority of other cancer forms, colon cancer is classified into four stages depending upon the metastasis of the cancer cells. In stage I colon cancer, the cancerous cells remain restricted to the colon and do not spread to other body organs. While in stage II and stage III colon cancer cases, the neighboring lymph nodes and tissues are also affected as a result of the cancer proliferation. Stage IV colon cancer is characterized by the unrestricted spreading of the malignant cells to various other organs of the body.

Stage II Colon Cancer Treatments

• Despite the fact that colon cancer does not have any known complete cure, doctors commonly utilize treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy to restrain the growth and spreading of the cancer cells. Resection (removal of the affected portion of the colon) is one of the most common surgical procedures. Clinical trials of chemotherapy (chemoembolization) and exposure to radiation therapy are often recommended to patients having a risk of cancer recurrence after resection. Chemotherapy involves intravenously injecting anti-cancer drugs into the patient's body in order to destroy and kill the cancer cells. While in radiation method, the affected portion of the colon is exposed to high energy beams such as X-rays, which help in damaging the malignant cells and thus prevent their metastasis.

Time Frame

• The time frame for treatment forms generally vary, as it depends on the proliferation and metastasis of the cancer cells. Nonetheless, generally radiation method is administered routinely for nearly three to four months, while on the other hand chemotherapy is given every two to three weeks for about five to six weeks.

5-Year Survival Rates

• As per the statistical findings by the National Cancer Institute, the relative 5-year survival rate for patients suffering from colon cancer between 1997 to 2006 was nearly 65 percent.

Side Effects

• Side effects are pretty common with some of the treatment forms used against colon cancer. Bleeding, and pain near the lower abdominal region are some of the most general side effects associated with resection. Loss of hair, tiredness, vomiting and loss of appetite are side effects linked with radiation and chemotherapy methods.