Colon cancer treatment

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and cancer cells.

Learn more about chemotherapy in our health encyclopedia.

Polyps

A colorectal polyp is a growth that sticks out of the lining of the colon or rectum.

Learn more about polyps in our health encyclopedia.

Colon resection

Also called large bowel resection, colon resection is surgery to remove all or part of your large bowel.

Learn more about colon resection in our health encyclopedia.

External radiation therapy

External radiation therapy is a treatment which uses radiation (x-ray energy) to kill cancer cells. It can be used to treat or prevent the spread of one or more cancer tumors.

Learn more about external radiation therapy in our health encyclopedia.

Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy)

During brachytherapy, radioactive seeds are placed inside and around your tumors. Seeds are small beads or bars which give off radiation (x-ray energy) in all directions around them. This radiation only reaches tumors and tissues that are close by.

Learn more about internal radiation therapy in our health encyclopedia.

Our patients work with their care team to develop a colon cancer treatment plan. The plan addresses the medical concerns and preferences of each patient.

Colon cancer treatment options

These options may be a part of your colon cancer treatment plan.

Colon cancer chemotherapy

Colon cancer chemotherapy uses drugs given by mouth or injection to kill cancer cells.

• Chemotherapy may shrink tumors or polyps before surgery. This can help ensure a successful surgery.
• After surgery for colon cancer, chemotherapy may help ensure the cancer is gone.
• Chemotherapy may also help relieve symptoms of advanced colon cancer.

Surgery

Surgery for colon cancer treatment includes many methods.

• Colon resection removes some or all of the colon. When the colon and rectum are removed, it's called a proctocolectomy. Resections can be done with an open approach or laparoscopically.
• Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is when a tiny microscope is used to remove polyp or, in some cases, early stage tumors from the rectum. Instead of cutting through the skin, the surgeon operates with instruments placed into the anus.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high powered X-rays or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells. Colon cancer treatments that involve radiation therapy include:

• External radiation therapy sends cancer-killing rays into the body from a machine outside the body.
• Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) places a radioactive seed inside the body, near the cancer. This spares the normal tissue and surrounding organs from damage.

Cancer treatment can cause many side effects. Here's how to deal with some common side effects.