The most advanced phase of colon cancer is referred to as stage 4. At this point the cancer that has metastasized beyond the colon and lymph nodes to organs such as the liver, lungs, stomach or ovaries. There are several types of treatment available that can prolong the life of the patient, but not all of these are applicable in all cases. Patients should discuss treatment options for stage 4 colon cancer with their doctor, learn the risks and benefits of each, and make an informed decision on the course of their cancer management.
When cancer of the colon is diagnosed at an advanced stage, surgery is often necessary. In a surgical resection, or colectomy, a surgeon removes the cancerous part of the colon. The remaining healthy colon sections are joined together and can function normally after healing. If an entire tumor cannot be removed without harming organs, as much of it as possible is cut out in a procedure known as debulking. This lessens pain and can increase the effectiveness of other therapies.
The use of chemotherapy to treat stage 4 cancer depends on how and where the tumor is attached. Chemotherapy treatment damages cells that have a rapid rate of growth. As well as destroying cancer cells, it adversely affects other fast-growing cells in the body. This can cause hair loss, anemia, nausea and a range of other symptoms. Medications are routinely prescribed to control the side effects.
In some stage 4 cases, radiation therapy is used following surgery to try to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. High energy rays are aimed at the cancerous area. Use of radiation is limited in cases where the cancer has metastasized to vital organs such as the liver or lungs, as healthy cells could also be damaged.
Monoclonal antibody therapy is a promising new drug treatment that avoids many of complications associated with chemotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies block the growth signal receptors on the surface of cancer cells to stop them from growing and spreading. Side effects are similar to the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Anti-angiogenesis therapy is one of the latest advances in cancer treatment. Rather than attacking cancer cells directly, anti-angiogenesis drugs target the blood vessels in a tumor and stop them from growing. Large tumors may shrink as their blood supply become limited. These drugs have been shown to increase the lifespan of colon cancer patients when used with traditional chemotherapy.
At the present time, cancer of the colon is not curable in most people once it has reached its final stage, but a growing percentage of stage 4 colon cancer patients survive for at least five years after being diagnosed. Life expectancy depends on the behavior and spread of the cancer cells, the location of the tumor and the effectiveness of treatments used to combat the cancer. Some patients far outlive their original prognosis.
When cancer of the colon is diagnosed at an advanced stage, surgery is often necessary. In a surgical resection, or colectomy, a surgeon removes the cancerous part of the colon. The remaining healthy colon sections are joined together and can function normally after healing. If an entire tumor cannot be removed without harming organs, as much of it as possible is cut out in a procedure known as debulking. This lessens pain and can increase the effectiveness of other therapies.
The use of chemotherapy to treat stage 4 cancer depends on how and where the tumor is attached. Chemotherapy treatment damages cells that have a rapid rate of growth. As well as destroying cancer cells, it adversely affects other fast-growing cells in the body. This can cause hair loss, anemia, nausea and a range of other symptoms. Medications are routinely prescribed to control the side effects.
In some stage 4 cases, radiation therapy is used following surgery to try to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. High energy rays are aimed at the cancerous area. Use of radiation is limited in cases where the cancer has metastasized to vital organs such as the liver or lungs, as healthy cells could also be damaged.
Monoclonal antibody therapy is a promising new drug treatment that avoids many of complications associated with chemotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies block the growth signal receptors on the surface of cancer cells to stop them from growing and spreading. Side effects are similar to the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Anti-angiogenesis therapy is one of the latest advances in cancer treatment. Rather than attacking cancer cells directly, anti-angiogenesis drugs target the blood vessels in a tumor and stop them from growing. Large tumors may shrink as their blood supply become limited. These drugs have been shown to increase the lifespan of colon cancer patients when used with traditional chemotherapy.
At the present time, cancer of the colon is not curable in most people once it has reached its final stage, but a growing percentage of stage 4 colon cancer patients survive for at least five years after being diagnosed. Life expectancy depends on the behavior and spread of the cancer cells, the location of the tumor and the effectiveness of treatments used to combat the cancer. Some patients far outlive their original prognosis.
About the Author:
Find out more about stage 4 colon cancer prognosis at www.HealthHints.org. Visit Shawn Onseo's site to learn more free health tips on cancer, stop smoking, fitness and more.
No comments:
Post a Comment