Colon Cancer Treatment

The treatment of colon cancer is directly decided by several factors. These include the stage of the disease and the general health of the patient. The health of the patient is always a factor due to colon cancer's tendency to lower resistance and healing.

Stage 0 colon cancer

This is the most superficial type of colon cancer. Stage 0 is usually a simple polyp (growth) that is removed during a procedure known as colonoscopy (inserting a camera into the colon and viewing the colon's interior directly). Stage 0 colon cancer has not spread to any other areas.

Treatment of this is immediate removal during the colonoscopy or as a separate surgical procedure. Either way, it is minimal and easily recoverable. Most patients have no recurrence at all.

Stage 1 colon cancer

Stage 1 colon cancer is also a localized condition much like stage 0. The difference is that the cancerous tissue requires a surgical procedure called resectioning. This means that the affected areas of the colon are cut out and the good sections are sewn back together.

The procedure can be done either as an open surgery (actual surgery) or as a laparoscopic (laser) procedure. The laser surgery is commonly called "band-aid surgery). There is no scarring and minimal recovery associated pain.
Because of the local nature of stage 1 colon cancer, there is a high cure rate associated with it.

Stage 2 colon cancer

Basically, stage 2 colon cancer is a stage 1 that gas affected another area of the body. While a resection of the colon is an option, it is suggested that the patient undergo chemotherapy after the surgery.

The cure rate is fairly high and there is a good rate of disease free patients after 5 years post-treatment.

Stage 3 colon cancer

Stage 3 colon cancer is when the cancer has affected lymph nodes. At this point the cancer is fairly advanced. Surgery on the colon is a necessity as a resection is required to remove cancerous tissue. Additionally, chemotherapy is highly suggested after the surgery is performed.
Recurrence (cancer comes back) is a common thing with stage 3 colon cancer.

Stage 4 colon cancer

Stage 4 cancer is the most advanced. This type of cancer has affected not only lymph nodes, but has also affected other areas like the lungs, stomach, liver or intestines. A resection of the colon is sometimes done depending on the patient's health status.
Most times, this is simply a time saving maneuver for the patient.

Advanced forms of chemotherapy and radiation therapy are common. This is necessary with stage 4 colon cancers in order to stop the spread of the disease to other mainly healthy areas.

As you can see, the usual treatment is removal of the cancerous tissue and the use of focused chemotherapy to halt the production of new cancer cells. This is not always successful but has had a fairly good track record.
When the patient reaches the stage 3 or stage 4 levels, time is of the essence obviously. The most important issue at this point is the quality of life for the patient. If the quality of life is not significantly improved, treatment is sadly halted.