Treatment
- If colorectal cancer is detected and treated early, its cure rate is high.
- Doctors will determine the most suitable treatment according to the type of colorectal cancer, its size and position. Other factors, such as possible side-effects of the treatment and the health conditions of the patient will also be considered. Before receiving treatment, a patient should understand the benefits and potential risks of the treatment and make an informed choice.
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Colorectal cancer is usually treated by a single method or a combination of methods, which include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
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Surgery
[Image: Surgery]
- Surgical removal of tumours.
- It may be necessary to make a temporary or permanent opening (stoma) in the abdomen to prevent bowel obstruction and to speed up recovery.
- In recent years, doctors have used minimally invasive surgical techniques to operate on colorectal cancer. Besides speeding up the patient's recovery, they also make complications less likely.
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Chemotherapy
[Image: Medication]
- Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy is the use of specific drugs to destroy cancer cells, without affecting normal cells.
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Radiation therapy
[Image: Radiotherapy]
Radiation therapy is the use of high energy radiation to destroy cancer cells.
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Surgery