Stage IV Colon Cancer: The cancer has spread from the colon to distant organs and tissues. Colon cancer most often spreads to the liver, but it can also spread to other places such as the lungs, peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), or distant lymph nodes. In most cases surgery is unlikely to cure these cancers. However, if only a few small areas of cancer spread (metastases) are present in the liver or lungs and they can be completely removed along with the colon cancer, surgery may help you live longer and may even cure you. Chemo is typically given as well, before and/or after surgery. In some cases, hepatic artery infusion may be used if the cancer has spread to the liver. If the metastases cannot be surgically removed because they are too large or there are too many of them, chemo may be tried first to shrink the tumors to allow for surgery. Chemo would then be given again after surgery. Another option may be to destroy tumors in the liver with cryosurgery, radiofrequency ablation, or other non-surgical methods. If the cancer is too widespread to try to cure it with surgery, operations such as a colectomy or diverting colostomy (cutting the colon above the level of the cancer and attaching the end to an opening in the skin on the abdomen to allow waste out) may still be needed in some cases. This can relieve or prevent blockage of the colon and so may prevent certain problems. Sometimes, such surgery can be avoided by inserting a stent (a hollow metal or plastic tube) into the colon during colonoscopy to keep it open. cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/detailedguide/colorectal-cancer-treating-by-stage-colon
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 14:55:05 +0000