Treatments Available For Stage 4 Colon Cancer

Colon cancer reaches stage 4 when it is no longer limited to the colon and surrounding lymph nodes, but has metastasized to other organs. At this stage, the cancer may have spread to the lungs, liver or stomach. There are several treatments available to prolong the lifespan of a patient suffering from stage 4 colon cancer. These have various risks as well as benefits. Depending on the individual case, some treatments be more appropriate than others. Patients should be able to make an informed decision about their cancer management after discussing all options with their physician.When cancer of the colon is diagnosed at an advanced stage, surgery is often necessary. In a surgical resection, or colectomy, a surgeon removes the cancerous part of the colon. The remaining healthy colon sections are joined together and can function normally after healing. If an entire tumor cannot be removed without harming organs, as much of it as possible is cut out in a procedure known as debulking. This lessens pain and can increase the effectiveness of other therapies.Chemotherapy is helpful in some cases of stage 4 cancer, depending on the site of the tumor. Chemotherapy treatment destroys rapidly growing cells in the body, with cancer cells as its prime target. Unfortunately, other normal cells which have a rapid growth rate tend to be harmed in the process. This can lead to hair loss, nausea, fatigue and other side effects, some of which can be controlled with medication.Radiation therapy is sometimes used to treat advanced cancer of the colon in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy. It kills off cancer cells with high energy rays or particles. There is a risk that adjacent healthy cells could also be destroyed, so radiation is seldom used to treat cancer that has spread to a vital organ.Monoclonal antibody therapy is a promising new drug treatment that avoids many of complications associated with chemotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies block the growth signal receptors on the surface of cancer cells to stop them from growing and spreading. Side effects are similar to the symptoms of an allergic reaction.Anti-angiogenesis therapy is an exciting advancement in cancer treatment. Used with chemotherapy, it can extend the lifespan of colon cancer patients by up to five months. It works by inhibiting the production of new blood vessels within a tumor. Without an adequate blood supply, the tumor can't grow.Once cancer of the colon has metastasized, it tends to be thought of as treatable rather than curable. The length and quality of life for an individual diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer depends on a number of factors and can't always be predicted. Some people respond exceptionally well to the available treatments and can outlive their original prognosis by months or even years.From the editors at HealthHints.orgTo find out more about stage 4 colon cancer, please check out our guide to Stage 4 Colon Cancer.Health and Wellness Tips - HealthHints.org provides health tips on cancer, weight loss, stop smoking, acne, fitness and more. Find out the latest news and info on cancer and more.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Holly_Parseo