What are the available treatment options for colon cancer, and how is the choice of treatment determined?
The choice of treatment for colon cancer depends on the stage of the cancer, the location of the cancer, and the patient's overall health. The main treatment options for colon cancer are Surgery: Surgery is the removal of the cancer and some surrounding healthy tissue during an operation. It is often called surgical resection. This is the most common treatment for colorectal cancer. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be given before surgery (called neoadjuvant therapy) to shrink the tumor, after surgery (called adjuvant therapy) to kill any remaining cancer cells, or as a standalone treatment for advanced cancer. Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. It can be given before surgery (called neoadjuvant therapy) to shrink the tumor, after surgery (called adjuvant therapy) to kill any remaining cancer cells, or as a standalone treatment for advanced cancer. Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy uses ...