Colorectal cancer Medical treatment
The type of treatment depends on the stage of development of cancer. The type of treatment depends on the stage of development of cancer. More cancer is detected early in its evolution, the better the results. More cancer is detected early in its evolution, the better the results.
Surgery
Surgery is the main treatment. Surgery is the main treatment. It aims to remove the affected portion of the colon or rectum, and some healthy tissue around the tumor. It aims to remove the affected portion of the colon or rectum, and some healthy tissue around the tumor. If the tumor is at an early stage, it is sometimes possible to simply remove polyps during a colonoscopy. If the tumor is at an early stage, it is sometimes possible to simply remove polyps during a colonoscopy.
If the cancer has reached the rectum and a large portion of tissue had to be removed, it has a colostomy. If the cancer has reached the rectum and a large portion of tissue had to be removed, it has a colostomy. This is to create an artificial anus through a new opening in the abdomen. This is to create an artificial anus through a new opening in the abdomen. Feces are then evacuated in a pocket adhesive located outside the body. Feces are then evacuated in a pocket adhesive located outside the body.
Sometimes preventive surgeries are performed, in people at high risk of colon cancer. Sometimes preventive surgeries are performed, in people at high risk of colon cancer.
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy
These treatments are often necessary to eradicate cancer cells that have already migrated to the lymph nodes or elsewhere in the body. These treatments are often necessary to eradicate cancer cells that have already migrated to the lymph nodes or elsewhere in the body. They are most often administered as adjuvant treatments, and are sometimes in palliative treatment. They are most often administered as treatment additives, and are sometimes in palliative treatment.
Radiation therapy uses different sources of ionizing radiation led to potent tumor. Radiation therapy uses different sources of ionizing radiation led to potent tumor. It is used before or after surgery, as appropriate. It is used before or after surgery, as appropriate. It can cause diarrhea, bleeding rectum, fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea. It can lead to diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea.
Chemotherapy is administered by injection or in tablet form, toxic chemical agents. Chemotherapy is administered by injection or in tablet form, toxic chemical agents. It can cause several side effects such as fatigue, nausea and hair loss. It can cause several side effects such as fatigue, nausea and hair loss.
Drugs
Drugs that limit the proliferation of cancer cells are sometimes used, alone or in addition to other treatments. Drugs that limit the proliferation of cancer cells are sometimes used, alone or in addition to other treatments. Bevacizumab (Avastin ®), for example, limit tumor growth by preventing the formation of new blood vessels within the tumor. Bevacizumab (Avastin ®), for example, limit tumor growth by preventing the formation of new blood vessels within the tumor. It is indicated for palliative treatment when the cancer is metastatic. It is indicated for palliative treatment when the cancer is metastatic
prevention
Calcium. An adequate intake of calcium – from milk products or calcium supplements – would slightly reduce the risk of suffering from colorectal cancer, concludes a meta-analysis 9. An adequate intake of calcium – from milk products or calcium supplements – would slightly reduce the risk of suffering from colorectal cancer, concludes a meta-analysis 9. The preventive effect was more marked among subjects who consumed the most vitamin D. The preventive effect was more marked among subjects who consumed the most vitamin D. Vitamin D contributes to the proper absorption of calcium. Vitamin D contributes to the proper absorption of calcium. It could, moreover, have a preventive effect against cancer. It could, moreover, have a preventive effect against the cancer.
Determination
For recommended nutrient intakes, see our information sheet Calcium. For recommended nutrient intakes, see our information sheet Calcium. To find out if you consume enough calcium, use our interactive calculator. To find out if you consume enough calcium, use our interactive calculator.
Uncertain effectiveness folic acid (vitamin B9). The results of two epidemiological studies indicate that prolonged supplementation with multivitamins containing the folic acid is associated with a lower risk of colon cancer among women 10,11. The results of two epidemiological studies indicate that prolonged supplementation with multivitamins containing the folic acid is associated with a lower risk of colon cancer among women 10,11. A meta-analysis published in 2005 focused on seven cohort studies and nine case-control studies: the authors concluded that folate, vitamin B9 as food, might have a slight protective effect against colon cancer . A meta-analysis published in 2005 focused on seven cohort studies and nine case-control studies: the authors concluded that folate, vitamin B9 as food, might have a slight protective effect against colon cancer 12.
Selenium effectiveness uncertain. Extensive epidemiological studies have investigated the effect of a low selenium intake on the development of cancers of the digestive system and precancerous polyps. Extensive epidemiological studies have investigated the effect of reduced in selenium intake on the occurrence of cancers of the digestive system and precancerous polyps. According to the authors of a meta-analysis published in 2008, aggregate data on the preventive effect of selenium is not conclusive, because well-controlled clinical trials fail to call . According to the authors of a meta-analysis published in 2008, aggregate data on the preventive effect of selenium is not conclusive, because well-controlled clinical trials fail to call .
Probiotics. Preliminary research suggests that probiotics, beneficial bacteria may help prevent colorectal cancer and its recurrences . Preliminary research suggests that probiotics, beneficial bacteria may help prevent colorectal cancer and its recurrences