Colon Cancer Treatment by Stage

For people with colon cancer, treatment by stage refers to treating the disease based on how far it has progressed. For instance, in the early stages of colon cancer, surgery may be the only treatment required. In later stages of the disease, surgery may be combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. The following article breaks down colon cancer treatment by stage, from stage 0 through stage IV and recurrent cancer.

Colon Cancer Treatment by Stage: An Overview

There are different types of colon cancer treatment, including
 
The type of colon cancer treatment recommended will depend on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The stage of the cancer (see Colon Cancer Stages)
  • Whether the cancer has recurred (come back)
  • The patient's age and general health.
     

Treatment for Stage 0 Colon Cancer (Carcinoma in Situ)

Treatment of stage 0 colon cancer (carcinoma in situ) may include the following types of surgery:
 
  • Local excision or simple polypectomy
  • Resection/anastomosis (this is done when the cancerous tissue is too large to remove by local excision).
     
No chemotherapy or radiation therapy is needed for the treatment of stage 0 colon cancer.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
 
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