Old and New Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

In the previous article, we discuss all the basics about Colorectal Cancer. So, in this article, let’s dig deep and discuss the Old and New Treatment of Colorectal Cancer.

A tumor is formed when healthy cells in the lining of the colon or rectum undergo mutations and grow out of control, leading to the development of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is preventable with early detection. Colorectal cancer is caused by a genetic mutation that occurs in the colon. Tumors are classified as either malignant or noncancerous depending on their type. Malignant tumors can develop and spread to other regions of the body. This means that they have the potential to cause cancer and spread to other sections of the body.

In contrast to a malignant tumor, a benign tumor can develop but will not spread once it has formed. Most of the time, it takes years before these changes become noticeable. In some instances, both inherited, and environmental variables likely have a role in developing the disease. In the case of a rare genetic ailment, genetic abnormalities may reveal themselves within months or even years after the individual is diagnosed with the condition.

How colorectal cancer is treated

When developing a patient’s overall treatment plan, which may contain or combine numerous types of therapies, it is standard for multiple types of doctors who specialize in cancer therapy to collaborate. In this instance, the phrase “multidisciplinary team” characterizes the group in question. In most cases, a colon cancer treatment team will include:

• A surgeon.
• A medical oncologist.
• A radiation oncologist.
• A gastroenterologist who will collaborate to treat the disease.

As defined by the American Gastroenterological Association, a gastroenterologist is a medical practitioner who is trained in and specializes in disorders relating to the digestive system and the organs and structures connected to the digestive system. Cancer care teams may include several other healthcare experts, such as nutritionists and counselors, medical doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, oncology nurses, and other healthcare professionals such as social workers and pharmacists.

The following section will go through various treatment options for colorectal cancer, which will be organized according to the stage after reviewing the most common kinds of therapy for colorectal cancer in the following section.

Surgery

The surgeon will remove the tumor and some healthy tissue from the surrounding area during an operation. It is referred to as surgical resection in some circles. Colorectal cancer is the most prevalent kind of cancer treated with this method.

Even while both general surgeons and specialists can perform colorectal surgery, many patients choose to consult with experts who have had additional training and expertise. A surgical oncologist is a medical professional specializing in the surgical treatment of cancer. A colorectal surgeon is a doctor who has obtained specialized training in treating disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus, among other organ systems. Proctologists were the old-fashioned term for colorectal surgeons.

In addition to surgical resection, patients with colorectal cancer can choose from a variety of surgical procedures, including:

• Laparoscopic surgery
• Colostomy
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or cryoablation

Radiation therapy

Radiation treatment uses high-energy x-rays on cancer cells to kill them. It is frequently utilized in the treatment of rectal cancer since this type of tumor tends to return close to the site where it was first discovered. A radiation oncologist is a medical professional specializing in administering radiation treatment to cancer patients.

In the case of rectal cancer, radiation therapy may be done before surgery to decrease the tumor and make it simpler to remove. It may also be used after surgery to eliminate any cancer cells that have survived. Both techniques have been successful in the treatment of this condition. Chemotherapy is frequently administered concurrently with radiation treatment, a procedure known as chemoradiation therapy, to maximize the radiation therapy’s efficacy.

Chemoradiation therapy is frequently utilized to treat rectal cancer before surgery to minimize the need for a colostomy or lessen the likelihood of the disease returning. According to one research, chemoradiation treatment administered before surgery was more effective and produced fewer adverse effects than the same radiation therapy and chemotherapy administered after the operation. In particular, patients who received radiation therapy in the area where their cancer first appeared had a lower risk of cancer returning to that area. They also had a lower risk of needing permanent colostomies and had fewer problems with scarring in the area where the radiation therapy was administered.

Medication

The use of medication-based cancer therapies destroys cancer cells. Providing medicine into the circulation to reach cancer cells throughout the body is a possibility. Systemic therapy is the term used to describe this way of giving medicine. It is possible to give treatment in a targeted manner, which means that the medicine is administered directly to cancer or is retained in a specific body location.

Doctors that specialize in the medical treatment of cancer, such as medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, are the most prevalent ones who prescribe this type of medication.

Medications are commonly supplied by using an intravenous (IV) tube that is placed into a vein with a needle, or they are taken orally through the consumption of a pill or capsule (orally). If you have been prescribed oral medications, please speak with your health care practitioner to verify that they are stored and handled correctly.

Colorectal cancer medications are available in several different formulations, including:

• Chemotherapy
• A therapeutic intervention has a specific outcome in mind.
• Immunotherapy

Keeping an eye out for recurrences of the cancer

One of the purposes of follow-up care is to seek indicators of recurrence, which suggest that cancer has returned. This is one of the most challenging aspects of cancer treatment. Cancer can recur because small pockets of cancer cells can remain undetected in the body for lengthy periods, allowing the disease to spread. The number of these cells may increase over time to the point where they will appear on test results or cause signs and symptoms. Follow-up therapy with a doctor familiar with your medical history will allow them to offer you specific information on your risk of recurrence of the problem. Your doctor will ask you several questions about your general health and well-being during your appointment. Standard follow-up treatment may include several tests for certain patients, including blood tests and imaging scans, which may be prescribed as part of their routine follow-up care. However, the type and stage of cancer that was first diagnosed and the types of therapy that were delivered all have an impact on the recommendations.

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