Colon Cancer Treatment
Colon and rectal cancer are determined by their location within the lower intestinal tract. The entire colon is about 5 to 6 feet long. It begins at the cecum and ends with the anus. The colon is located in abdomen. The rectum, which is the last 5 to 10 inches of the large intestine is found in the pelvis.
Treatment of stages I, II, and III colon cancer differs from rectal cancer. Radiation has a rare role in colon cancer treatment, while it is common for rectal cancer. After diagnosis, colon cancer treatment usually consists of
- Surgery to remove the tumor, along with lymph nodes
- Study of the surgical specimen and lymph nodes to determine stage
- Deciding on adjuvant chemotherapy
- Possible chemotherapy
- Follow physical exams and tests to watch for recurrence.
Image courtesy of Johns Hopkins Digestive Disease Library
Where Can You Go for More Information
Expert recommendations for colon cancer treatment based on current evidence are the basis for Colon and Rectal Cancer: Treatment Guidelines for Patients which includes options for treatment at each stage and decision trees to help patients and their doctors decide on which option to pursue.
The Johns Hopkins Digestive Disease Library has detailed information about the anatomy of the lower intestinal tract.
Last Update: May 9, 2008
Medical Review
This page is under review by C3's medical review network.
