Bowel cancer is a potentially fatal medical condition characterized by the abnormal growth of cancerous cells in or on the large or small intestine. There are three primary bowel cancer treatment options available. Surgery is the most common bowel cancer treatment method used. Other types of bowel cancer treatment options include radiation therapy as well as chemotherapy. The prognosis is generally positive as long as the cancer is diagnosed and treated in the earliest stages.
Surgical intervention is the most frequently used bowel cancer treatment method. The type of surgery involved depends on a number of factors, including the number of cancerous cells present, the stage of the cancer, and the overall health of the patient. Any type of cancer surgery involving the intestines is considered major surgery and typically requires that the patient spends at least several days in the hospital for close observation.
A local excision is one type of bowel cancer treatment surgery. In this procedure, a tube is placed into the colon through the rectum so the cancerous tissue can be removed. If a cancerous polyp is present and needs to be removed, this surgical procedure is then known as a polypectomy.
A bowel resection is another type of bowel cancer treatment surgery. This involves the surgical removal of the cancerous portion of the intestine. The healthy ends of the intestine are then reconnected. A portion of the surrounding lymph nodes may be removed so that it can be sent for testing to find out if the cancer has spread.
Radiation therapy may sometimes be used as a form of bowel cancer treatment. This method uses high levels of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. There are some potential side effects of radiation therapy, including fatigue, nausea, and organ damage. The medical staff may be able to give some tips, including proper dietary measures, which may help to lessen some of these undesirable side effects.
Chemotherapy is another potential form of bowel cancer treatment. This involves the combination of various chemicals into the body in an attempt to slow the growth and spread of the cancer. Some of the possible side effects associated with chemotherapy include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Fatigue and body aches and pains may also develop as the result of using this form of treatment. Blood disorders such as anemia or excessive bleeding may also occur in patients undergoing chemotherapy as a form of bowel cancer treatment.
