what is the treatment for colon cancer

The treatment for colon cancer depends on the stage of the cancer and other factors such as the patients overall health and preferences. The most common treatment for colon cancer is surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. In some cases, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may also be recommended. Chemotherapy uses strong medicines to kill cancer cells and is usually given after surgery if the cancer is large or has spread to the lymph nodes. Radiation therapy uses powerful energy beams to kill cancer cells and can be used to shrink a large cancer before surgery to make it easier to remove. It can also be used to relieve symptoms of colon cancer that cant be removed with surgery or that has spread to other areas of the body. In some cases, neoadjuvant chemotherapy given along with radiation might be recommended to shrink the cancer so it can be removed later with surgery. Immunotherapy and targeted therapy are also used in some cases. The treatment information given here is not official policy of any organization and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.