Treatment:

Treatment depends partly on the stage of the cancer. In general, treatments may include:

• Surgery (most often a colectomy) to remove cancer cells
• Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells
• Radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tissue

SURGERY

Stage 0 colon cancer may be treated by removing the cancer cells, often during a colonoscopy. For stages I, II, and III cancer, more extensive surgery is needed to remove the part of the colon that is cancerous. (See: Colon resection)

There is some debate as to whether patients with stage II colon cancer should receive chemotherapy after surgery. You should discuss this with your oncologist.

CHEMOTHERAPY

Almost all patients with stage III colon cancer should receive chemotherapy after surgery for approximately 6 - 8 months. The chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil has been shown to increase the chance of a cure in certain patients.

Chemotherapy is also used to improve symptoms and prolong survival in patients with stage IV colon cancer.

• Irinotecan, oxaliplatin, capecitabine, and 5-fluorouracil are the three most commonly used drugs.
• Monoclonal antibodies, including cetuximab (Erbitux), panitumumab (Vectibix), bevacizumab (Avastin), and other drugs have been used alone or in combination with chemotherapy.

You may receive just one type, or a combination of these drugs.

RADIATION

Although radiation therapy is occasionally used in patients with colon cancer, it is usually used in combination with chemotherapy for patients with stage III rectal cancer.

For patients with stage IV disease that has spread to the liver, various treatments directed specifically at the liver can be used. This may include:

• Burning the cancer (ablation)
• Delivering chemotherapy or radiation directly into the liver
• Freezing the cancer (cryotherapy)
• Surgery

Support Groups:

For additional resources and information, see: Colon cancer support groups.

Expectations (prognosis):

Colon cancer is, in many cases, a treatable disease if it is caught early.

How well you do depends on many things, including the stage of the cancer. In general, when they are treated at an early stage, many patients survive at least 5 years after their diagnosis. (This is called the 5-year survival rate.)

If the colon cancer does not come back (recur) within 5 years, it is considered cured. Stage I, II, and III cancers are considered potentially curable. In most cases, stage IV cancer is not considered curable, although there are exceptions.

Complications:

• Blockage of the colon
• Cancer returning in the colon
• Cancer spreading to other organs or tissues (metastasis)
• Development of a second primary colorectal cancer

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have:

• Black, tar-like stools
• Blood during a bowel movement
• Change in bowel habits