Colon Cancer Treatment

Colon cancer occurs in the large intestine. The cancer often starts as benign polyps (clumps of cells) that become cancerous over time. Polyps do not always produce symptoms, so regular screening is the best way to detect colon cancer before it becomes too advanced. According to the American Cancer Society, around 112,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer yearly.

Types

• There are three treatment options for colon cancer. Surgical options are often used to remove the entire colon, part of the colon, infected lymph nodes, blockages or polyps. Chemotherapy and radiation to kill cancer cells are the other two options used to treat colon cancer.

Function

• Procedures for removing colon cancer are performed laparoscopically either during a colonoscopy or as a separate operation as well as through traditional surgical methods with a large incision.

Considerations

• The type of surgery, how much of the colon is removed and if other treatments will also be employed depends on the location of the cancer, if it has advanced into the lymph nodes, how much of the bowel wall is penetrated, and if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Features

• Targeted cancer drugs are also available for treatment. These drugs are given alone or with chemotherapy.

Effects

• The three targeted cancer drugs work in two ways. Bevacizumab prevents tumors from developing new blood vessels, so the cancer cells die. Cetuximab and Panitumumab work by targeting chemical signals to make cells divide and work normally. Panitumumab is still experimental.