Colorectal Cancer Treatment Options

How is colorectal cancer treated?

This information represents the views of the doctors and nurses serving on the
American Cancer Society's Cancer Information Database Editorial Board. These views
are based on their interpretation of studies published in medical journals, as well as
their own professional experience.
The treatment information in this document is not official policy of the Society and is
not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer
care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions,
together with your doctor.
Your doctor may have reasons for suggesting a treatment plan different from these
general treatment options. Don't hesitate to ask him or her questions about your
treatment options.
Types of treatments
After the cancer is found and staged, your cancer care team will discuss your
treatment options with you. The main types of treatment that can be used for colon
and rectal cancer are:
Surgery
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Targeted therapy
Depending on the stage of the cancer, 2 or more of these types of treatment may be
combined at the same time or used after one another.
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Surgery
The types of surgery used to treat colon and rectal cancers are slightly different, so
they are described separately.
Colon surgery
Surgery is often the main treatment for earlier stage colon cancers.
Open colectomy
A colectomy (sometimes called a hemicolectomy, partial colectomy, or segmental
resection) removes part of the colon, as well as nearby lymph nodes. The surgery is
referred to as an open colectomy if it is done through a single incision in the abdomen.
The day before surgery, you will most likely be told to completely empty your bowel.
This is done with a bowel preparation, which may consist of laxatives and enemas. Just
before the surgery, you will be given general anesthesia, which puts you into a deep
sleep.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (such as x-rays) or particles to destroy cancer
cells. It may be part of treatment for either colon or rectal cancer. Chemotherapy can
make radiation therapy more effective against some colon and rectal cancers. Using
these 2 treatments together is known as chemoradiation or chemoradiotherapy.
Radiation therapy is mainly used in people with colon cancer when the cancer has
attached to an internal organ or the lining of the abdomen. When this occurs, the
surgeon cannot be certain that all the cancer has been removed, and radiation
therapy may be used to try to kill any cancer cells that may be left behind after
surgery.
Radiation therapy is also used to treat colon cancer that has spread, most often if the
spread is to the bones or brain.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy (chemo) is treatment with anti-cancer drugs.
How is chemotherapy given?
Chemotherapy can be given in different ways.
Systemic chemotherapy: Systemic chemo uses drugs that are injected into a vein or
given by mouth. These drugs enter the bloodstream and reach all areas of the body.
This treatment is useful for cancers that have metastasized (spread) beyond the organ
they started in.
Regional chemotherapy: In regional chemo, drugs are injected directly into an artery
leading to a part of the body containing a tumor. This approach concentrates the dose
of chemo reaching the cancer cells in that area. It reduces side effects by limiting the
amount reaching the rest of the body.
Targeted Therapy
As researchers have learned more about the gene and protein changes in cells that
cause cancer, they have been able to develop newer drugs that specifically target
these changes. These targeted drugs work differently from standard chemotherapy
(chemo) drugs. They often have different (and less severe) side effects. They can be
used either along with chemo or by themselves if chemo is no longer working.
VEGF targeted drugs
Bevacizumab (Avastin) and ziv-aflibercept (Zaltrap) are drugs used for colon cancer
that target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is a protein that helps
tumors form new blood vessels to get nutrients (a process known as angiogenesis).
EGFR targeted drugs
Cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix) are both monoclonal antibodies
that specifically attack the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a molecule that
often appears in high amounts on the surface of cancer cells and helps them grow.
Thank you
Source:
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/detailedguide/colorectal-cancer-treating-general-info