Colorectal Cancer – Staging and Treatment

Cancer Staging

The staging of the cancer is the extent of cancer proliferation. When colon cancer gets diagnosed, the doctor would ascertain the stage in which it lies in order to decide the best course of treatment. The stages of colon cancer include:

• Stage 0 (Duke A stage) – The foremost stage wherein the cancer is restricted to the mucosa or inner lining of the colon or rectum – additionally known as carcinoma in situ.
• Stage I (Duke B stage) – When cancer has spread from the inner lining of the colon or rectum, but has still not reached past the rectum or colon wall.
• Stage II (Duke C stage) – The cancer has metastasized through or within the colon or rectum wall though not yet spread to the close by lymph nodes.
• Stage III (Duke D stage) – The cancer has spread to the close by lymph nodes, though other body parts are still spared.
• Stage IV (Duke E stage) – When the cancer has metastasized to other regions of the body, inclusive of the other organs like the liver, the membrane that lines the stomach cavity, lungs or ovary.
• Recurrent – The cancer has relapsed subsequent to treatment and could majorly impinge on the rectum, colon or other areas of the body. Researchers have uncovered that the occurrence of biomarker in the regional lymph nodes is a self-determining interpreter of disease recurring in those with colorectal cancer.

Colorectal Cancer Treatment

The line of treatment is decided on the basis of varied factors like the size and location, the cancer staging, if or not it is recurring, and the present general health condition of the patient. Treatment alternatives involve chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.

• Surgery – This is the most widely used treatment method for colorectal cancer wherein the malignant tumors and any lymph nodes in their vicinity would be taken out. The lymph nodes are removed during the operative procedure as they are the foremost location where the cancers tend to proliferate to. At the end of the operative procedure the bowel is sutured. In particular cases, the rectum might need to be totally removed and a colostomy bag would then be attached as a substitute for drainage purposes. The colostomy bag is used in collection of feces and is normally placed provisionally – at times it might be a long-standing measure when the ends of the bowels cannot be joined. In case of early cancer diagnosis, the surgery might be the sole treatment essential in curing colorectal cancer. The surgery would aid in allaying the symptoms even if it occasionally could not cure the cancer.
• Chemotherapy – In this procedure a chemical or medicine is given either orally or intravenously for annihilating the cancerous cells. It is generally a pre-surgery procedure in order to shrivel the tumor. A study revealed that advanced colon cancer cases that were given chemotherapy and that had a family history of the disease, were observed to have a notably lower probability of cancer relapse and fatality.
• Radiotherapy – Radiotherapy employs high-power radiation rays for obliterating the cancer cells, and additionally impedes their proliferation. This form of treatment is widely used in treating rectal cancer or as a pre-surgery procedure for shrinking the tumors. At times a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are offered following surgery for lowering the likelihood of a relapse. Researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center at Milwaukee have discovered that the CXCL12 protein that is usually responsible for controlling movements of the intestinal cells have the potential of impeding the spread of colorectal cancer.

Prognosis (Chances of Recovery)

If not treated, the malignant tumors would metastasize to other areas of the body. The likelihood of total recovery depends majorly on how promptly the cancer was detected and treated. The recovery would depend on numerous factors like:

• The staging of the cancer during the time of detection.
• If a hole or obstruction was formed in the colon due to the cancer.
• Whether the cancer has relapsed.
• The overall health condition of the patient.

Colorectal Cancer Prevention:

The likelihood of developing colorectal cancer could be majorly lowered by adopting the following strategies:

• Undergoing routine screenings – This is particularly important when one has previously developed colorectal cancer or one is past sixty years of age, having a family history of cancer or having Crohn’s disease. Few experts have stated that people should carry out regular screening once they have crossed fifty years of age.
• Nutrition – Consuming daily diet rich in fiber, fruits, veggies and good-quality carbohydrates. Lowering or if possible, stopping the intake of red and processed meat. Substituting saturated fats with optimal-quality fats like avocado, olive oil, fish oil and nuts. But a confounding study has revealed that in spite of vegans having an overall reduced risk of getting cancers, their chances of developing colorectal cancer is much higher in comparison to meat consumers.
• Exercise – Inculcating moderate forms of physical activity on a regular basis has proven to have a major affect on decreasing the chances of developing colorectal cancer.
• Maintaining idyllic bodyweight – Maintaining a healthy body weight as those who are overweight or obese increase their chances of developing several cancers inclusive of colorectal cancer.

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