Colon Cancer Treatments

Colon Cancer Treatment Options 

Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) offers a variety of innovative procedures designed to target colon cancer while minimizing the side effects and impact on your life. Your treatment will depend on the stage of cancer, your overall health and your treatment goals.

Our doctors take time to understand your individual needs and then work with you to develop a treatment plan that's right for you.

Surgery

Surgery can be used to treat colon cancer in both the early and advanced stages. Depending on the stage and your treatment goals, surgery may be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as chemotherapy and targeted therapy.

Surgery is performed to remove tumors and the cancerous portion of the colon. To ensure all of the cancerous tissue is removed, a small portion of healthy colon tissue adjacent to the cancerous tissue will also be removed. Additionally, several nearby lymph nodes will be removed. Pathologists examine the lymph nodes under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present. This information helps doctors stage the disease and determine if additional treatment is needed.

• Polypectomy - In early stages of colon cancer (stage 0 and stage 1), the cancer can sometimes be treated by removing the polyp.
• Colon Resection (colectomy) - The cancerous portion of the colon is surgically removed. A colostomy  may also be performed to help the body eliminate waste.
• Liver Resection - For some colon cancer patients who have metastatic disease in the liver, surgery to remove a portion of the liver containing the cancer may be a viable treatment option.
• Radiofrequency Ablation - Heated radiofrequency waves treat cancerous tumors. This procedure may be used during surgery to target cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, like the liver.

Chemotherapy

The anti-cancer drugs used in chemotherapy are designed to inhibit the rapid division of cancer cells. Depending on your individual treatment plan, your oncologist may recommend chemotherapy treatment after colon cancer surgery to help destroy remaining cancer cells.

Typically, colon cancer chemotherapy is administered through intravenous (IV) infusion. For this method of delivery, first a needle is inserted into a vein in your arm or hand. Then, a catheter (i.e., thin plastic tube) is inserted and the needle is removed. The chemotherapy flows through a tube attached to the catheter. The tube extends from an IV bag or bottle containing the medicine. The chemotherapy is slowly released into your bloodstream, traveling throughout your body.

Innovative chemotherapy delivery methods we offer at CTCA to administer chemotherapy to a particular area of the body include:

• Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) - HIPEC is a heated, sterilized chemotherapy solution which is delivered directly to the abdomen. It is administered immediately following surgery to remove visible tumors within the abdomen. The goal is to penetrate and destroy cancer cells that remain in the abdomen after surgery. In comparison to traditional chemotherapy delivery, HIPEC allows for higher doses of chemotherapy treatment. And because the chemotherapy is kept within the abdomen, it minimizes the rest of the body’s exposure to the treatment. This helps reduce some chemotherapy side effects.
• Intra-arterial Chemotherapy (IAC) and Chemoembolization - A targeted dose of chemotherapy drugs are delivered through the hepatic artery directly to the liver. If your cancer has metastasized (spread) to the liver, your oncologist may recommend this treatment to target tumors in the liver while helping to spare healthy surrounding tissue.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy delivers drugs to cancer cells, preventing these cells from receiving the hormones and nutrients they need to continue to grow. Monoclonal antibody therapy is one targeted drug therapy aimed at leveraging your body’s natural immune response to recognize, attack and destroy colon cancer cells.

Radiation Therapy

In some cases, radiation therapy may be part of a treatment plan for metastatic colon cancer. Radiation therapy targets tumors with precision high-energy rays.

We offer some of the most leading-edge radiation therapies in the United States. These radiation therapies use techniques that deliver concentrated radiation doses directly to the tumor.

Our radiation oncologists use advanced radiation therapy delivery systems, including:

• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
• Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT)
• Trilogy^™
• TomoTherapy^®
• TheraSphere^®

Complementary Therapies for Colon Cancer

We believe caring for your overall well-being is an important part of the treatment process. Our integrative approach treats more than just the colon cancer—your cancer care team will help to improve your quality of life while you are receiving treatment. For example, nutrition therapy, mind-body medicine and oncology rehabilitation help keep your mind and body strong throughout treatment.

Supportive Therapies for Colon Cancer Patients

• Nutrition Therapy
• Pain Management
• Naturopathic Medicine
• Mind-Body Medicine
• Oncology Rehabilitation
• Spiritual Support
• Chiropractic Care
• Survivorship Support

The CTCA Difference

At CTCA, we offer traditional medical treatments in combination with supportive cancer therapies—all under one roof. Your treatment plan is designed with your needs and comfort in mind. Together, you and your doctors will chart the best course of treatment for you.

If you're looking for an innovative and personalized approach to treating colon cancer, call us today at 800-615-3055 or chat online to explore our colon cancer treatment program in more detail.