Colon cancer is often characterized by an abnormal formation of a tumor along the walls of the colon. Abnormal bowel movements, bloody stools, weight loss and rectal pain are only some of the symptomatic signs of colon cancer. Just like any other disease of its kind, early detection is vital in the treatment of colon cancer. Here are some ways in which colon cancer can be treated:
Surgery. The most common procedure in treating colon cancer is surgery, which involves removal of the tumor. Your surgeon may give you two choices for surgery: one is called a surgical resection which would take out the part of the colon with the tumor and surgically stitch the remaining parts together, bringing back the colon to a single, healthy piece.
Another procedure is called ostomy, which involves rerouting waste material outside the body and into a colostomy bag. This gives the infected portion a chance to heal itself and prevent further damage to the colon. Some ostomy procedures may be permanent, but some are only temporary.
Chemotherapy. Another common cure for most cancers is chemotherapy, but is only often recommended for stage 2 colon cancer and above. Chemotherapy literally means "chemical treatment," a way to help rid the body of cancer cells and keep them from dividing and multiplying. It is unfortunate, however, that some good cells are likewise killed in the process, which is the reason why oftentimes people who undergo this treatment lose their hair (because hair strands are no longer capable of reproducing).
Radiation Therapy. Radiation therapy is often resorted to in trying to relieve the symptoms of colon cancer. Powerful energy sources, such as Xrays, are used in trying to remove or at least shrink the tumor, making it easier to take out during surgery. Radiation therapy is often used in concurrence with chemotherapy to make sure that the chances of the cancer recurring are low.
Drug Therapy. Medications are also a tested way of relieving the symptoms of colon cancer. These drugs specifically target cancer cells and prevent them from spreading. Currently, there are three drugs available on the market which are designed to do this job: bevacizumab (Avastin), cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix). These drugs can be administered alone or together with chemotheraphy drugs for maximum effectivity.
Cancer is a fatal disease but much can be done to prevent it -or even cure it at an early stage. Therefore, early detection of the tumors or the cancer cells is vital in administering treatment for complete eradication of the cancer cells. If any symptoms of colon cancer manifests in your body, make sure to consult with your doctor right away. Most fatalities relating to colon cancer occur because of late detection when the cancer cells have not only rendered the organ useless, it has also spread throughout other parts of the body. So make sure to keep a handy note of the symptoms just in case you experience any of them.
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