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Colon cancer is a very fatal disease, in particular, if diagnosed too late. However, treatment success for those who suffer from disease has increased, as has the survival rate. This is due to early prevention along with the development of new therapies for colon cancer. In fact, many early diagnosed colon cancer patients, if treated promptly, are reported to achieve a full recovery from the disease.

Colon cancer treatment plan is different from one patient to another. Oncologist's (experts in diagnosis and treatment of cancer) consider a number of factors when determining treatment for colorectal cancer, including the general state of health of the patient and the extent of the size of the site of tumor. As a result, there are numerous factors considered when selecting the choice of an appropriate treatment for an individual patient; Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the primary three treatments used for colorectal cancer. Typically a combination of one or more of these treatments are used,

The first steps of colon cancer (stage I and stage II), surgery is the selected treatment of choice. These phases, where the cancer is confined to the local level and affects only a small part of the colon. The cancer can be eliminated through surgical polypectmy or partial colectomy. Polypectomy is the surgical removal of polyp in the colon, it can even can be performed at the time of the colonoscopy if the polyp is small. On the other hand, a partial colectomy results in colon and adjacent lymph nodes resection. The two procedures do not need to be followed by any other course of therapy, such as chemo and radiation therapy. Surgery alone may be a sufficient treatment if accompanied by successful eradication of the disease, where the malignant tissue was completely removed.

For stage II colon cancer treatment, surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy are usually suggested by most physicians. It is in this stage wherein the malignancy has penetrated the colonic wall and even invaded nearby tissues but has not yet metastasized (spread) to the lymph nodes. The surgery in this stage typically removes the tumor, nearby tissues and lymph nodes. However, chemotherapy is optional depending on the presence of some conditions that are caused by cancer such as:

1. Perforation, or the presence of a hole or holes in the wall of the colon;

2. Highly malignant cells detected;

3. less than 12 lymph nodes were surgically removed;

4. Malignant cells with micro satellite instability (MSI), removed from the border of the sample.

5. nearby organs were invaded by cancer; and

6. The obstruction of the large intestine.

For stage III colon cancer, the malignancy typically involves the colon, nearby tissues and lymph nodes but not the distant parts of the body. The standard treatment recommended for this stage is partial colectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy as well as possible radiation therapy as the case requires. However, the surgical treatment can only be indicated for patients whose general health status can still tolerate the procedure. Otherwise, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are more likely the treatment of choice.

For the late stage of cancer (stage IV), surgery is often the least option and chemotherapy as well as radiation therapy are generally the best choices. The malignancy in this stage often spread throughout other organs of the body distal to the colon and lymph nodes. Mostly, the organs that are subjected to metastasis are the lungs, liver, ovaries and peritoneum. In chemotherapy, medications are administered intravenously (IV) or others are given per orem (mouth) as pills. These drugs are meant to destroy the cancer cells. In instances that the metastases in other organs are not that severe, these malignant cells can also be removed through surgery together with the cancerous colon tissues. But if large enough, chemotherapeutic drugs are initially administered to reduce the size of the tumor prior to surgical removal. On the other hand, ionizing radiation is used for radiation therapy and this can also be done to shrink the tumor. But often times, it is given to patients to alleviate cancer symptoms, particularly pain but not definitely cure the cancer. It is sad to say but this stage of cancer has very poor prognosis.

Overall, there are several options for colon cancer treatment. However, the best time to undergo such any of the treatment is during the earlier stage of the disease. It is significant that any individual risk for colon cancer undergoes certain diagnostic exams regularly for early detection because definitely cancer has a treatment and a good prognosis is possible.

The information supplied through this item shouldn't be a replacement to professional treatment and shouldn't be used for diagnosing or providing treatment for a medical problem or sickness. You should consult your health care provider if you happen to have or assume you might have a medical problem.