The fourth most common cancer diagnosed in the United States is colorectal (or colon) cancer. It is estimated that about 150,000 Americans are diagnosed every year. Researchers are still trying to figure out why young adults are being diagnosed at higher rates than the average age for diagnosis, which is 66.
Early screening is the best way to prevent colon cancer because symptoms of colon carcinoma often do not appear until the cancer has spread or grown. Regular testing can help detect colon cancer sooner and give you a better outlook.
Understanding what happens next after a diagnosis can be useful for those who have been affected. We’ve compiled key information below that can be helpful after a colon cancer diagnosis. This includes how the disease is staged, survival rates, and common treatment options. Continue reading to find out more.
The stages of colon cancer
After a colon cancer diagnosis, doctors will perform additional tests to determine the extent of the cancer. This is called the stage. The tests for staging colon carcinoma include abdominal, pelvic, and chest images to determine the size and location of the cancer. Surgery may be necessary in some cases to get more information.
Colon cancer survival rates
Following a colon cancer diagnosis, it is common for people to consult statistics and online resources in order to understand their prognosis better. Statistics can be useful to a doctor or patient in making informed decisions regarding a treatment plan. However, every case is different, and many factors may affect a person’s experience.
Most cancer statistics are expressed as five-year relative survival rates. This is because the risk of recurrence has decreased significantly after five years. The five-year survival rate for all colon cancer patients is 64%, regardless of the stage. This is a substantial increase over the 1975 survival rate, which was 50%. The survival rates for colon cancer are:
Colon cancer stage 1 and 2:89.9% relative five-year survival rate
Stage 3 colon cancer: 71.3% five-year relative survival rate
Stage 4 colon cancer: 14.2% five-year relative survival rate
It is important to remember that these statistics represent the average, and they can look very different for minority groups. The Black population, for example, not only has the highest colon cancer rate out of all ethnic groups, but they are around 40% more likely than any other group to die of colon cancer.
Treatment options for colon cancer
There are many options available to patients who are considering colon cancer treatment. Both standard treatments and new potential treatments are available only to participants in clinical trials. Standard therapies are currently used in the following ways:
Surgery
All stages of colon carcinoma are treated with this treatment. During surgery, doctors will remove the maximum amount of cancer they can, either through local excisions or resectioning the colon. Patients usually undergo radiation or chemotherapy after surgery to eliminate any cancerous cells that remain.
Radiofrequency ablation
It is a probe that has electrodes to kill cancer cells. Sometimes, this is done directly through the skin or an abdominal incision.
Cryosurgery
This treatment, also known as cryotherapy or freezing cancerous tissue, uses an instrument that freezes and destroys the cancerous tissue.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for colon cancer. It involves the use of drugs that inhibit the growth and spread of cancerous cells. The type of chemotherapy and the method used to administer it will depend on the stage at which the colon cancer was diagnosed.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation is often used with chemotherapy to stop the growth of cancerous cells. It uses X-rays or other forms of high-energy radiation. It can be administered either externally or internally, depending on the severity.
Targeted Therapy
The drugs used in this treatment can be less harmful to normal cells than chemotherapy or radiation. Monoclonal antibodies are targeted therapies for colon cancer, as well as angiogenesis inhibitors and protein kinase inhibitions. These therapies are available in several forms, some of which are approved and others that are constantly being researched.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of biological therapy that uses substances produced by the body to combat cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, or PD-1- and PDL1 inhibitors, are usually used.
Clinical trials for colon cancer
Participating in a clinical study may be an essential part of a patient’s treatment plan. There are studies underway to find new treatment options for colon cancer. These treatments may be superior to the standard ones currently available. Patients can access these advanced technologies by participating in clinical trials. Volunteering for a clinical study can also be an excellent way to help advance medical advancements in colon cancer. Click the button below to learn more about which trials are recruiting.
