Colon Cancer Treatments
Colon Cancer Treatments: Ways To Fight Colon CancerColon cancer treatments vary according to the stage at which it is detected. Where there are polyps found during colonoscopy or by other methods of detection, it is immediately removed. The polyps are sent for biopsy to find out whether they are benign, i.e. not showing any cell activity or malignant. If colon cancer is detected, then the treatment of colon cancer involves surgery of the colon; to remove the detected growth (polyps) and surrounding tissue to some extent. This colon cancer treatment is further supplemented by use of anti-cancer drugs which are fairly effective. If the detection of colon cancer is done early, then the chances of the cancer being removed effectively is high. These patients need to be checked at regular intervals of time, prescribed by the treating oncologist, or the physician. In other stages of cancer where it has spread, apart from surgery, Chemotherapy is also given, combined with another form of therapy known as radiotherapy. A short brief appears below. Cancer de colon treatment by chemotherapy is supplemental to surgery. Even if surgery is not done, the physician or oncologist will recommend chemotherapy. Chemo, a short form of chemotherapy is using drugs, specific for this purpose, and those drugs prevent the growth of the cancerous cells, or by killing the cells. Of course in such cases, the therapy also affects the adjoining tissue, which may have been infected by the cancer, but has not reached of activity which would show up in diagnosis. In whatever way they may be used, either the oral route, or through injections, the drugs enter the blood stream and reach various cancer cells in the body, and begin their role. In many cases, this drug is inserted directly into the affected organ, or is placed in the spine, or the abdomen. Remember, the colon, is the abdomen. Where colon cancer has spread to the liver, the artery that supplies blood to this area is blocked. The anti-cancer drug is injected in the available space between the liver and the blocked portion. The arteries of the liver then deliver the drug all over the liver. The liver’s portal vein is brought naturally by the body through the veins from the abdominal area, including the intestines. Treatment of colon cancer has a better rate of success if chemo therapy is combined with radiation therapy, and other therapies. A few are given below. High energy X-rays are used to kill the cancer cells or sterilizing them to keep from multiplying. They do this by directing these rays on the body where the cancerous cells have been found. Yet another useful method is that of a radioactive substance which is inserted and placed near the cancerous cells, this emits high energy radio waves to immobilize the cancerous area, or eliminate them from the affected cells or tissue. There are different types of treatment for patients with colon cancer. Radio-frequency treatments of colon cancer uses special probes, containing electrodes inserted into the body. These emit high monitored radiowaves to disable the affected cells. Oncologists frequently try and freeze the abnormal tissue, because the cells are active only when there is normal body temperature. This is known as Cryosurgery. In colon cancer treatment, follow-ups help to ascertain the cessation of the cancerous cell activity, or whether it has or has not. Normally a special test of the blood to check for a special substance is used to find out whether there is or if there is not any resumed activity. It is absolutely necessary that patients, who have undergone treatment such as chemo, or surgery, to have regular checkups as indicated by the treating oncologist or physician. |