Colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting people in Bexar County, after breast, prostate and lung cancer. Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon and the rectum. They often co-occur.
People develop polyps, which are clumps of overgrown cells in the colon. Over time, these polyps can grow and eventually develop into cancer. This process generally takes about ten years. The purpose of a colonoscopy is to remove these polyps using various endoscopic techniques, thus lowering one's risk for cancer.
University Health offers advanced endoscopy, a minimally invasive technique used to remove cancerous polyps and tumors during a regular colonoscopy, says Dr. Sandeep Patel, a gastroenterologist with University Health.
What to Expect During Colorectal Cancer Treatment
Treatment for colorectal cancer will depend on many factors, including the stage it is. Your doctor will determine what stage of cancer you have, depending on:
- Tumor size
- Whether the cancer has spread to other tissues or organs
- How far the cancer has spread from its origin
Stages of Colorectal Cancer
Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ)
Stage 0 means abnormal cells have been detected, but they have not spread beyond their original location. At this stage, colorectal cancer is highly treatable with surgical removal of the cancer cells.
Stage 1
Stage 1 is a very early stage of colorectal cancer and it is highly treatable. The cancer has grown deeper into the tissue but has not spread to other organs or lymph nodes. Surgical removal of the polyp or cancer cells is a highly effective treatment method.
Stage 2
The cancer has grown through the colon or rectal wall but has not spread to the lymph nodes. At this stage, surgery to remove part of the colon or affected lymph nodes can be used to treat it. Chemotherapy before or after the surgery may be recommended.
Stage 3
In stage 3, the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but not to other organs. Surgical removal of the affected tissues and lymph nodes, plus chemotherapy, will be recommended.
Stage 4
Stage 4 is the most advanced and means the cancer has spread to distant organs and/or lymph nodes. Surgery will likely not cure the cancer, but may extend your life.
Treatment Options for Colorectal Cancer
Once your doctor assigns a stage to the cancer, they will develop a treatment plan. Depending on how far the cancer has spread, some treatment options may be more effective than others. Your care team will discuss all options with you before beginning.
Surgery
For early-stage colorectal cancer, surgery is highly effective and may be the only treatment needed. If the cancer cells have not spread, then removing them should treat and effectively cure the cancer.
Polypectomy
Polypectomies are minimally invasive endoscopic procedures, usually done during a colonoscopy. Our advanced endoscopic providers are highly trained in this procedure. These are outpatient procedures and don’t require an overnight hospital stay.
Colectomy
A colectomy removes part or all the colon. In early stages, only part of the colon will be removed. Removing the colon can help prevent the cancer from spreading or recurring. This is a major surgery that may require an additional ostomy procedure.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is an intensive medicine regimen to kill rapidly dividing cells like cancer. It can slow their growth or kill them completely. Chemotherapy is often given in conjunction with surgery. It can be given intravenously, as an injection or an oral pill.
Chemotherapy to treat colorectal cancer in stages 2, 3 and 4 may include:
- Adjuvant therapy (before surgery)
- Neoadjuvant therapy (after surgery)
- On its own as the main treatment
Radiation
Radiation uses high-energy rays, like X-rays, to kill cancer cells. It is more commonly used for rectal than colon cancer, but it can be used for both. External-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is the most common type.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy is an option when chemotherapy and radiation don’t work. Targeted therapy consists of special medicines given by IV or pill and can be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is an advanced option for those with distant cancer who don’t respond to chemotherapy or other treatments. As the name suggests, immunotherapy uses your body’s own immune system to fight the invading cancer cells.
Clinical Trials
Treatment through clinical trials may be an option for you — ask your care team if there are any studies you can join. University Health partners with UT Health San Antonio to connect patients with the newest treatment options.
Managing Side Effects and Getting Support During Treatment
Depending on the treatment methods you receive, you could experience a range of side effects. Your care team will explain all side effects to you and help you manage them, sometimes with prescription medications. The University Health supportive care team can provide extra care while you’re receiving treatment.
Life After a Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis
After you’ve been diagnosed with colon cancer, you’ll want to practice healthy habits like eating healthy and staying active as much as you are able. This will help you stay strong for your upcoming treatments, which will take a toll on your body.
Life Expectancy
The good news is that up to 90% of cases of colon cancer can be treated when caught in its early stages, according to the American Cancer Society. For many people who catch it in stages 0, 1 or 2, they can get treatment and return to their normal lives relatively quickly.
Survival rates dip with colon cancer caught in stages 3 and 4. People with cancer in the regional SEER stage have a 74% survival rate over five years. Those with distant cancer (when it has spread to distant organs) have a 13% survival rate over five years.
Cancer Care at University Health
Trust the oncologists at University Health to create a treatment plan for you. We have surgeons and advanced therapeutic endoscopic specialists on our team who can provide the latest treatments in colorectal cancer.
