What are the Treatment Options for Colon Cancer

What are the treatment options for colon cancer recommended by the doctors? Maintaining gut health is very important because this organ plays an important role in the digestive system. If you experience stomach pain, you should not ignore it.

In addition to appendicitis, other intestinal problems that you should be aware of are colon cancer or colorectal cancer. Don't wait until cancer gets worse. Immediately examine to detect colorectal cancer early, so that treatment can be done immediately to prevent the spread of cancer.

What are the Treatment Options for Colon Cancer Recommended by The Doctors?

Before determining the type of treatment, generally, the doctor will ask the patient to undergo a series of tests or examinations. Starting from a colonoscopy, an examination to detect whether there are abnormalities in the large intestine and rectum.

Abnormalities in the form of irritation, swelling, or the presence of abnormal tissue in the intestine. Next is a blood test, which is an examination that serves to determine the overall health of the body including the function of the kidneys, liver, and other organs.

The results of a colonoscopy or blood test, determine whether or not the presence of cancer is true. After knowing the stage of cancer, the doctor will know what are the treatment options for colon cancer. In the early stages, small cancers will be removed by colonoscopy.

Not only colonoscopy, but doctors can also suggest laparoscopic surgery if needed, namely, treatment carried out in gastroenterology, gynecology, and urology. Meanwhile, for stage II colorectal cancer.

The recommended treatment is a partial colectomy to remove the part of the colon affected by cancer. As for advanced colorectal cancer, more treatments such as bowel surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted drug therapy are starting.

Surgery for Colon Cancer Treatment

This medical procedure is the main treatment for colorectal cancer. First of all, the doctor will perform a resection, which is cutting the part of the colon or rectum that is overgrown with cancer.

In addition, the tissue and lymph nodes around the part of the intestine affected by cancer will also be removed. Next will be continued with the anastomosis step, which is the connection of each end of the gastrointestinal tract that is cut by stitching.

However, in cases of cancer in which only a few healthy parts remain, anastomosis is difficult. So, to overcome this condition, a colostomy will usually be done, namely making a hole (stoma) in the abdominal wall.

The stoma is made connected to the end of the intestine that has been cut, its purpose is to expel feces through the abdominal wall. Feces that come out will be accommodated in a bag that is attached to the outside of the abdominal wall.

Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy for Colon Cancer Treatment

What are the treatment options for colon cancer other than surgery? Both therapies aim to kill cancer cells and stop their proliferation. Chemotherapy can be given as tablets (such as capecitabine) or injections (5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, irinotecan).

While radiotherapy is a therapy using high-power radiation rays that can be given externally or internally, namely by inserting a catheter or wire containing radiation into the area of ​​the body affected by cancer.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also usually done as therapy before or after surgery. When performed before surgery, the goal is to shrink the tumor to make it easier to remove.

While chemotherapy and radiotherapy are done after surgery, aim to kill the remnants of cancer cells that have spread to other areas.

The cause of colon cancer is still unknown, so there is no specific prevention. As alternative prevention, you can limit your intake of high-fat foods, reduce alcohol and quit smoking.

Another prevention to avoid colon cancer is the consumption of fruits and vegetables that contain probiotics because the fiber can bind food waste and feces are easily disposed of. Knowing what are the treatment options for colon cancer will be helpful for patients.