If you have stage I, II, III, or IV colon cancer, you may be best treated with surgery or a combination of both.It's important to get treatment for colon cancer as soon as possible, and to follow up with regular visits with your doctor to make sure you're doing well.
Step 1: Have your colon cancer checked out.
If you have been diagnosed with colon cancer, the first thing you should do is to have the cancer staged.Additional scans of the body are used to stage the cancer that was found.Developing an individualized treatment plan requires this.Stage I is limited to the colon and stage IV has spread to other parts of the body, with stages II and III representing intermediate levels of severity without body-wide metastases.Surgery is the first-line option for Stages I, II, and III.Chemotherapy to supplement the treatment following surgical excision of the cancer may be required in Stages II and III.Occasionally surgery is used to remove tumors causing pain, obstruction, or that are otherwise problematical, as an addition to the treatment of Stage IV.
Step 2: Have your cancer removed.
If you fall into stages I, II, or III, you will be booked for a surgery to remove your cancer as soon as possible.The surgery takes a few hours to complete and is performed under general anesthesia.If the cancer has spread to the other parts of your body, your surgeon will perform a surgery to remove the affected section of the bowel.This is a good sign that the cancer has not spread.It shows that your cancer was most likely cured by surgery alone.Micrometastases are small cancer cells that have escaped into your bloodstream and pose a heightened risk for future cancer.After the procedure, your surgeon will tell you whether or not you have cancer.The excised portion of your bowel will be examined under a microscope by a medical specialist.The pathologist can tell you more about the type of cancer you had based on the appearance of the cells under the microscope.
Step 3: Following surgery, wear a colostomy bag.
Attaching the loose end of your colon to your abdominal wall is the most common procedure after surgery.This is called a "stoma," and it works by attaching an ostomy bag to the outside of it to collect stool while the rest of your colon heals.It can be difficult to use a colostomy bag.Click here to learn how to use and change a colostomy bag.After your colon heals, your surgeon can perform another procedure to remove the stoma and re-attach the two ends of the colon.People can return to a normal life if they pass stool through their rectum and anus instead of using a colostomy bag.Some colon cancer cases will require the use of a colostomy bag for the rest of their lives.This happens when the colon is larger than it needs to be.
Step 4: Stage II or III colon cancer can be treated with "adjuvant" Chemo.
If you had stage II or III colon cancer, or if your surgeon detected the spread of cancer cells to your lymph nodes while performing surgery, you will most likely be offered a course of chemotherapy.In order to greatly diminish the chance of a future recurrence of your cancer, the goal is to target any "micrometastases" and to "kill" them.Stage I colon cancer is confined to the colon and has no risk of spreading to other parts of the body, which is why Adjuvant Chemo is not necessary."Adjuvant!" is an online program.It helps both physicians and patients to assess the risk of recurrence of their colon cancer, along with the pros and cons of proceeding with adjuvant chemotherapy.This tool can be used to allow patients to see the benefits and risks of treatment, and to make an informed decision as to whether it is something that interests them.
Step 5: Chemo is the mainstay of treatment for stage IV colon cancer.
Chemo is the most important aspect of treating stage IV colon cancer.Stage IV colon cancer is "incurable" because it has already spread to other parts of the body.It's worth discussing with your doctor if you'd like to seek treatment as it can improve your lifespan, as well as decrease the symptoms you may be suffering from.Chemo is the primary mode of treatment for stage IV colon cancer because the cancer has spread throughout your body and therefore a "systemic treatment" is needed.Chemotherapy for stage IV colon cancer can be accompanied by surgery to remove colon and/or other body mass.To relieve any bowel obstruction, to decrease pain, and to potentially prolong your expected lifespan are some of the reasons why mass removal is necessary.
Step 6: Discuss a drug regimen with your doctor.
There are several different drugs that can be used to treat stage IV colon cancer.There are a number of factors that affect the option that is best for you.Your overall health, which determines your ability to tolerate a particular strength of treatment.There are certain drugs that can be too toxic for people with poor health.If you have been unsuccessful with other chemotherapy drugs, this is your first trial.Colon cancer can be treated with the least toxic drugs.With time, the cancer may become resistant to these drugs and they may stop working.If you have colon cancer, you may need to switch to a second- or third-line option.There is a specific type of colon cancer.Some types of colon cancer respond better to certain drugs than others.Your doctor can tell you how this might affect the drugs that are best for you.Leucovorin, 5-FU, Oxalis, Irinotecan, and Capecitabine are some of the common chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of colon cancer.
Step 7: Medicines can be used to manage the side effects.
Chemo treatment for colon cancer can have many side effects.The side effects of treatment for colon cancer include fatigue, a hazy brain, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, and an increased risk of infections.Many of these side effects can be mitigated with medical treatment, should you experience them during your treatment.Your doctor will keep an eye on your side effects during your treatments.If a form of treatment is available to help you cope with the side effects, it is important to share them with your doctor.
Step 8: Radiation is rarely used in the treatment of colon cancer.
Radiation is often used to treat cancer, but it is not usually used for colon cancer.It is sometimes used in rectal cancer in combination with other treatments.
Step 9: You should get regular follow-up tests to make sure you don't have any new cancer.
It is important to discuss follow-up tests with your doctor.The purpose of follow-up tests is to look for new cancer cells.If you have had colon cancer before, you are at a higher risk of having it again, so do not underestimate the importance of these appointments.Before your surgery, you will have received a full colonoscopy, which is an examination of your colon using a tube that is inserted through the anus with a video camera on it.Depending on your risk, you will be advised to get a follow-up colonoscopy every 3-6 years after the 1 year mark.It is important to show up for your exams, as your surgeon will inform you of the schedule.Every 3-4 months for the first 2 years, and every 6 months after that, you should see your physician for a physical exam and to report any suspicious symptoms.
Step 10: You should have your "CEA" monitored.
"CEA" stands for "carcinoembryonic antigen" and is a marker of colon cancer.The absolute numerical value is not important.It is the variation of this number with time that indicates suspicion of a possible relapse.A simple blood test can be used to measure your CEA.Every few months, your doctor will perform a number of blood tests to measure how your CEA changes with time.The number is unlikely to go up if it stays steady.If the number continues to rise, this could be a sign that you have colon cancer.If your cancer comes back, you will need further tests.
Step 11: For 3 years after treatment, you should get a CT Scan.
It is important to follow up with the tests.If you had stage II or III colon cancer, you should have aCT Scan every 3 years.This is not required for stage I or stage IV colon cancer.