What Are the Treatments for Stage 3 Colon Cancer?

There are three subsets of stage III colon cancer: IIIA, IIIB and IIIC. In Stage IIIA, the cancer has grown from the inner layer of the colon (the mucosa) into the outer layers (the submucosa and muscularis propia). There's also cancer in one to three local lymph nodes. In Stage IIIB, cancer is in all of the layers of the colon and in one to three lymph nodes. In Stage IIIC, cancer has grown into all of the colon's layers and is in four or more lymph nodes. Treatment is the same for all three subsets.

Surgery

• Stage III colon cancer is treated by surgery. The surgery involves removal of the cancerous part of the colon. This surgery is called colectomy. Since the cancer is generally too advanced to be entirely removed, chemotherapy and/or radiation may follow the surgery. Lymph nodes may also be removed as part of the surgery. According to Johns Hopkins Colorectal Center, the doctor may also examine the abdomen and surrounding parts of the digestive tract to look for evidence that the cancer has spread.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy is administered after a colectomy in order to kill any remaining cancer cells. There are four different primary chemotherapy regimens used to treat colon cancer: FOLOX, 5-FU, leucovorin and capectibaine. The FOLOX regimen is a combination of two of these three drugs (both 5-FU and leucovoroin), along with a third drug (oxaliplatin).

Radiation

• Radiation may be an option as adjuvant or neo-adjuvant treatment. Adjuvant treatment means the radiation is given after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Neo-adjuvant therapy means the radiation is given before surgery. Its purpose is to kill cancer cells so that there are a smaller number of them. This will increase the chance of removing all of the cancer cells surgically. Radiation may also be given to people who aren't healthy enough to have surgery, as their primary form of treatment.