Statistics Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatments CANCER TYPES

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Tumors are diagnosed on progress through four stages with treatment being administered based on the diagnosis. These stages are:

  • Stage I: Localized in the colon.
  • Stage II: Spread beyond the colon but not to lymph nodes.
  • Stage III: Spread outside the colon, reaching nearby lymph nodes.
  • Stage IV: Advanced, with tumor cells spreading to distant organs.

SURVIVAL RATES: 

Survival rates vary based on how far the cancer has spread:

  • Localized: 89%,  
  • Regional: 72%, 
  • Distant: 16%

Note: These statistics are based on the SEER database.

TYPES OF TREATMENT

LOCAL TREATMENTS

  • These target the tumor without affecting the rest of the body. They are most effective in the early stages when tumors are smaller and localized.

SYSTEMIC TREATMENTS

  • Involving drugs taken orally or administered directly into the bloodstream, they can reach cancer cells throughout the body.

COMMON TREATMENT APPROACHES

A combination of local and systemic treatments is often used, depending on the cancer’s stage.

HOW IS COLON CANCER TREATED?

COLON CANCER SURGERY:

  • Colectomy: Partial or complete removal of the colon, along with lymph nodes.
  • Hemicolectomy: Removal of a portion of the colon with cancer, plus surrounding healthy tissue.
  • Total Colectomy: Rare, performed when additional complications are present.

RECTAL CANCER SURGERY:

  • Transanal Excision (TAE): Removal of early-stage rectal cancers through the anus.
  • Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM): Precise removal for certain early-stage cancers.
  • Low Anterior Resection (LAR): For Stage I and most Stage II and III cancers, a portion of the rectum is removed.

RADIATION AND CHEMOTHERAPY:

  • These treatments are used to shrink tumors before surgery, or post-surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells. Radiation may be recommended before surgery to preserve the sphincter.

FOLLOW-UP CARE:

  • Regular visits and CEA marker blood tests are advised to monitor progress and detect any recurrence.

ADVANCED COLORECTAL CANCER TREATMENT

Other options include ablation and embolization for metastases. Radiofrequency ablation destroys metastases with high heat, while embolization blocks the blood supply to tumor tissue.

AFTER COLON CANCER TREATMENT

The goal of treatment is to destroy the cancer with the hope of no recurrence. Your doctor will likely recommend follow-up visits to check on your progress.

Blood tests for CEA markers are often performed for several months after treatment. If those levels go up, it might indicate that the cancer has returned. 

In that event, a colonoscopy and or imaging will be able to determine the site of the recurrence.

Depending on the stage of the cancer, the rate of recurrence is 7 to 42%. Of those recurrences, 60% to 80% occur within two years of the malignancy of the tumour.

THE MISKAWAAN TREATMENT APPROACH

The cancer care team at Miskawaan Integrative Cancer Care have a holistic approach to care. We offer personalized health treatment plans guided in supporting patients that include cancer-focused therapies to treat diseases and focus on rehabilitation of the mind, body and spirit.

Our process involves:

  • In-depth diagnosis and personalized treatment planning.
  • Cutting-edge diagnostic solutions, including Metavectum Tumour Therapy Test, Metavectum Predictive Diagnostic, and EDIM Technology for Cancer Diagnosis.

AFTER COLON CANCER TREATMENT

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle post-treatment is crucial for reducing the risk of recurrence. This includes regular physical activity, a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol intake.

THE PILLARS MORE TREATMENTS

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Ready to take the first step toward recovery? Schedule a consultation with us today to explore your personalized treatment options at MICC.