Colon Cancer Treatment

There are various treatment choices for colon cancer. Which may work best for you? Your treatment depends on the type, size, location, and stage of your cancer.

There are various treatment choices for colorectal cancer. Which colon cancer treatment might work best for you? It depends on a number of factors. These include the type, size, location, and stage of your cancer. Factors also include your age, overall health, and what side effects you’ll find acceptable.

Radiation therapy for colon cancer

Radiation therapy is a major part of the treatment for rectal cancers. It’s also sometimes used as a treatment for colon cancers. There are several reasons your healthcare provider may recommend this therapy.

Chemotherapy for colon cancer

Chemotherapy (chemo) uses anticancer medicines to kill cancer cells. The medicines attempt to attack and kill cancer cells, which grow quickly. Some normal cells also grow quickly. Because of this, chemotherapy can also harm those cells. This can cause side effects. 

Adjuvant therapy after surgery for colon cancer

After surgery for colorectal cancer, many people worry that cancer might come back. But research has shown that having chemotherapy after surgery, sometimes along with radiation therapy, may reduce the risk of cancer returning in some people.

Targeted therapy for colon cancer

Targeted therapy medicines attack specific proteins or cell functions that help cancer cells grow. Like chemotherapy, these medicines work throughout your body, but in different ways. This means they can sometimes be helpful even if chemotherapy isn’t working. These medicines mainly target cancer cells. So the side effects are often different and less severe than those you might experience with chemotherapy medicines.

Surgery for colon cancer

There are several different types of surgical procedures that can remove part or all of the colon or rectum. 

Treatment questions to ask your doctor

Talking with your healthcare providers about cancer can be overwhelming. It can be hard to take in all of the information. It helps to be prepared. Ask how successful your treatment is expected to be, and what the risks and possible side effects are.