If you have recently received a diagnosis of colon cancer, take heart in the fact that there are treatment options available, especially if the disease is caught in its early stages. In cases where there is a family history of colon cancer, the risk of inheriting the disease is relatively low, at less than 5%. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), approximately 95% of colorectal cancers are spontaneous and not genetic. Regular colon screenings are crucial in detecting the disease early and warding off its progression. It is important to note that colon cancer has four distinct stages, with each stage indicating a different outlook for treatment.
Treatment Options for Stages 0 and 1 Colon Cancer
When it comes to stages 0 and 1 colon cancer, surgery is the main treatment option recommended by physicians. Typically, chemotherapy is not prescribed during this early stage. The primary goal of the surgical procedure is to remove cancerous polyps or tumors while preserving the surrounding healthy tissues. Stage 0 colon cancer refers to cancer that has not spread beyond the inner lining of the colon or the nearby lymph nodes. There are three common surgical treatments available for stage 0 colon cancer:
Stage 2 Colon Cancer: Treatment Options
When dealing with stage 2 colon cancer, which is characterized by cancer that has spread through the colon wall and potentially to nearby tissues, your doctor may initially recommend a colectomy. This surgical procedure involves removing the affected lymph nodes, surrounding blood vessels and tissues, as well as the cancerous tumor and a section of your colon.
However, the use of chemotherapy at this stage is a subject of debate. According to the American Cancer Society, if your lymph nodes are cancer-free, or node-negative, chemotherapy may not be the most effective course of action to prevent cancer recurrence. Only around 5% of individuals with stage 2 colon cancer experience benefits from chemotherapy. Nevertheless, there are certain situations in which chemotherapy may still be beneficial, particularly if the tumor is high grade or more aggressive.