State-of-the-Art Colon Cancer Treatment
An array of colon cancer treatment options are available to you when you choose us as your care provider. Our oncologists base their colon cancer treatment recommendations on your diagnosis, creating an individualized treatment plan. They can also discuss clinical trials with you if you wish. It is important to take the time you need to make the best colorectal cancer treatment decision.
Colorectal Cancer Treatments
Several types of colorectal cancer treatments can be used. Different combinations may also be used depending on the stage of cancer and other factors. Each treatment plan Is individualized for each patient. Here is an overview of each type of treatment:
- Colon cancer surgery. This is themost common treatment for most early stages of colon and rectal cancer. The goal of surgery is to remove the entire tumor and any cancer cells that may have spread to nearby tissues. Depending on the stage of cancer, colon cancer surgery may be all that is needed. It may also be performed before or after another treatment is used.
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Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can stop cancer from growing or spreading by using medicines
to either kill the cells or stop them from dividing. If the medicines
are given in a way that lets them enter the bloodstream, they treat cancer
cells that have spread throughout the body (systemic).
Medicines can also be given to attack cancer cells in specific organs, such as the liver, in what is known as local treatment. Chemotherapy might also be used before surgery to shrink tumors in what is called neoadjuvant therapy. When used after surgery to kill or control any remaining cancer cells, it is called adjuvant therapy. -
Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is used to kill cancer cells using high-energy X-rays.
It has a major role in treating rectal cancers, but it may be used in
some colon cancers as well.
Like chemotherapy, radiation therapy may be used as neoadjuvant radiation therapy before surgery, which can lower the chances that a person will need a permanent colostomy. When it is used after surgery, it is called adjuvant radiation therapy. In that case, the goal is to reduce the chance that cancer will come back. - Targeted therapy. This type of therapy uses medicines that target proteins or cell functions to stop cancers from growing. Some of these medicines are given along with chemotherapy medicines, while others are used by themselves. It may also be used to help chemotherapy get inside the tumor.
- Ablation and embolization. These methods can be used to treat tumors that have spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs. Ablation is the use of heat, cold, or other methods to destroy tumors rather than remove them. With embolization, a substance is injected into the blood vessel to try to cut off a tumor’s blood supply.
- Supportive care. Your health care provider may recommend therapies that help ease your symptoms but do not treat cancer directly. These can sometimes be used along with other treatments. Supportive care or palliative care treatments can also be used if available treatments are more likely to do you more harm than good.
Advanced, Comprehensive Colon Cancer Treatment from the Experts
RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, meets the highest standards in gastrointestinal cancer research, treatment, prevention and education in the nation.
New Jersey’s Largest Network of Cancer Specialists
Our integrated cancer care model includes New Jersey’s largest network of cancer specialists, comprised of:
- Nationally and internationally recognized oncologists, surgical oncologists and radiation oncologists
- Advanced practice nurses and certified technicians with advanced credentials in cancer specialty care
- Nurse navigators
- Nutrition experts
- Pathologists
- Radiation therapists
- Certified oncology nurses
- Oncology nurse navigators
- Social workers
- Case managers
- Nutritionists
- Pharmacists
- Pastoral care staff
Our Oncology Nurse Navigators Will Guide You
Our oncology nurse navigators help patients through the entire colon cancer journey, from securing initial appointments to coordinating follow-up visits related to treatments and procedures, all the way through aspects of survivorship. Oncology nurse navigators also can refer you to social workers or financial counselors for matters about health insurance, financial and other challenges.
To contact one of New Jersey’s best colon cancer specialists call
844-CANCERNJ or 844-226-2376.
