Surgery for Colon Cancer: An Informative Look
Colon cancer affects over one-hundred thousand men and women each year. Many people that have colon cancer are very active in their treatment options. Before you choose a treatment option it is very important to get a second opinion. The second opinion can help you choose the most effective treatment plan. Most insurance companies will cover a second opinion especially at a doctor?s request.
The treatment methods that are most commonly used are surgery for colon cancer, biological therapy, colon cancer chemotherapy and colon cancer radiation therapy. Usually surgery is the most effective option for getting rid of colon cancer. Your doctor may use a combination of these four treatment options.
Local therapy is a type of colon cancer treatment plan that combines radiation therapy, surgery and local therapies. The colon cancer will be removed through surgery and then therapy will be used in order to control the disease if the disease has spread to other parts of the body.
Systemic therapy is a treatment option that combines systemic therapies with biological therapy. Drugs will be used in order to control and destroy the cancer throughout the body. The drugs enter the patient through the bloodstream.
If a doctor wants to perform surgery for colon cancer there are three types of common procedures used to remove the cancer. The oldest procedure for treating colon cancer is known as open surgery. This type of surgical procedure is usually used in treating larger areas of colon cancer. The surgeon will remove the colon cancer through a cut in the abdomen. Open surgery usually requires a longer hospital stay and a longer period of recovery.
A less invasive surgical procedure is laparoscopic surgery. The surgeon makes four to five small incisions in the abdomen. A telescope that is hooked up to a television monitor enters the body through these incisions. The surgeon is able to see inside the abdomen on the monitor. At this time the surgeon will remove the cancerous part of the colon or rectum.
A colonoscopy is a surgical procedure that is only used in order to remove a small tumor or polyp through the colon or upper rectum. In this type of procedure the surgeon uses a colonoscope. This procedure is only used to treat a small cancerous area.
Some patients after surgery will have to have a colostomy bag either permanently or until bowel function is restored. It is important to talk with your doctor about your treatment options and whether surgery for colon cancer is necessary in your case. Do not be afraid to ask questions or for informative resources. Colon cancer can be treated and prevented.
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