Colorectal cancer is found either in the colon or in the rectum of the patient. In most of the cases, growth of polyps in the colon or rectum is found to be one of the main causes of the occurrence of colorectal cancer in a patient’s body. A patient suffering from colorectal cancer usually complains of very dark stools, blood in stools, frequent stools or pain in belly. This type of cancer is usually diagnosed through colonoscopy. In some cases, sigmoidoscopy, barium enema or biopsy is done. To check as to how much extent the cancerous cells have spread inside the colon or the rectum, the patient is further asked to do CT scan, MRI scan, PET scan, chest X-ray, endoscopic ultrasound and some other blood tests. Once this is done the reports are studied, some options of treatment for colorectal cancer is given to the patient. These options include:

Surgery

It is one of the most preferred methods of treatment for cancer of this type. There are different ways in which surgery is done for the treatment of colorectal cancer. These methods are:

• Local Incision: In this method, the cancerous cell is removed using sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy when it is just a polyp. This method is only preferred when the colorectal cancer is detected in the early stages.
• Resection: In this method, the cancerous cells and the nearby lymph nodes are removed. The ends of the colon and rectum are then sewed back together after the operation.
• Resection and Colostomy: In this method, an opening is made outside the abdomen to provide the body with a part for excretion, as the ends of the colon or rectum cannot be joined back together. This opening can be temporary till the colon heals back, or can be permanent. Permanent opening is done when the rectum or colon is removed completely by the oncologist.
• Laparoscopic Surgery: In this method, small incisions are made in the abdomen and the cancerous cells are removed using special surgical instruments and a small camera.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is either given as the prime method of treatment or in combination with surgery. If given in combination with surgery, then these drugs are administered either before or after surgery. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes then it is given after surgery. The common drugs given to the patient are 5-fluorouracil, Leucovorin, Capecitabine, Oxaliplatin, Cetuximab, Irinotecan and / or Bevacizumab.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is commonly given in combination with chemotherapy or surgery. It can be given externally or internally. This method makes the use of x-rays to kill the cancerous cells present in the colon or the rectum. In cases where the cancerous cells are found in the colon, the radiation is targeted in the region where the cancerous cells have found to have multiplied themselves. And if the cancerous cells are present in the rectum then the patient is told to undergo the radiation therapy before surgery, to shrink the cancerous cells. The way radiation therapy is given depends on the type of colorectal cancer the patient is suffering from and the extent to which the cancerous cells are present in the patient’s body.

These were the common methods of treatment for colorectal cancer. Out of these, surgery is the most preferred option as it has fewer side effects. Also, surgery turns out to be an effective method to kill the cancerous cells, if found the cancer is detected in the early stages.

Please note: The drugs given above should only be consumed under the supervision of an oncologist.