- CANCER HELPLINE: 1800-22-1951
- 91 7317418888
- contact@drharshatreya.com
- CANCER HELPLINE: 1800-22-1951
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit,
Early detection of colon cancer is crucial for successful treatment, often through screening tests or diagnostic procedures:
Colonoscopy: A flexible tube with a camera is used to examine the colon and rectum. During the procedure, polyps or suspicious tissue samples can be removed for biopsy.
Sigmoidoscopy: Similar to a colonoscopy, this test examines only the lower part of the colon and rectum.
Fecal Tests:
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): Detects hidden blood in the stool.
Guaiac-based Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT): Uses a chemical to detect blood in the stool.
Stool DNA Test: Identifies genetic mutations and blood in stool samples.
Imaging Tests:
CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy): Uses X-rays to create a 3D image of the colon and rectum.
Biopsy: Tissue samples taken during a colonoscopy can be examined for cancer cells.
Blood Tests: While not a primary diagnostic tool, blood tests can reveal markers like carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) that can indicate cancer.
Treatment for colon cancer depends on the cancer stage, location, and patient health. The main treatment options include:
Surgery:
Polypectomy and Local Excision: Removal of small polyps or early-stage tumors during a colonoscopy.
Colectomy: Partial or complete removal of the colon, along with nearby lymph nodes. Often used in more advanced stages.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: Laparoscopic surgery, which uses small incisions, can be an option for some patients with early-stage colon cancer.
Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to kill cancer cells, either before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) to shrink tumors or after surgery (adjuvant therapy) to reduce recurrence. Common chemotherapy drugs include fluorouracil (5-FU), capecitabine, and oxaliplatin.
Radiation Therapy: Often used for rectal cancer or when surgery isn’t an option. High-energy beams target and destroy cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy: These drugs target specific proteins that help cancer cells grow. For example, bevacizumab inhibits blood vessel growth, while cetuximab targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on cancer cells.
Immunotherapy: For certain types of advanced colon cancer, immunotherapy drugs like pembrolizumab or nivolumab may be effective. They work by enabling the immune system to better recognize and attack cancer cells.
Clinical Trials: Patients with advanced or recurrent colon cancer may consider clinical trials, which provide access to experimental treatments.
© 2024 Harshvardhan Atreya. All Rights Reserved.