Stage 4 Colon Cancer Treatment

Colon cancer, also referred to as colorectal cancer, initiates in the glands in the colon lining or large intestine, or the rectum, which is the end of the colon. It spreads in 5 stages, out of which stage 4 is the last, stage 0 being the very beginning. Stage 4 needs more attention and advanced treatment. It consists of therapies and medication. Let's first understand how this type of cancer spreads in the body. It establishes as noncancerous polyps, which gradually grows into cancerous growth. Some of the causes include, excess red meat consumption, colorectal polyps, Crohn's disease, hereditary tendency of cancer (colon) and breast cancer history. If a person is suffering from cancer in other organs, it can also cause colon cancer. The symptoms include stools with blood, anemia, which is low hemoglobin content, pain in lower abdomen, constipation or diarrhea and unexplained weight loss.

Detection Tests
The doctor compresses your belly, as a part of initial examination. The doctor may experience the presence of a grown portion in the abdomen. A fecal occult blood test, also called (FOBT), combined with imaging tests such as sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy can hint at the condition. However, it should be noted that a positive FOBT doesn't essentially convey the presence of cancer. Lymph node biopsy and blood tests such as liver function test and complete blood count (CBC) can be done to detect the cancerous growth. If, the tests mentioned above indicate colon cancer, staging has to be done, to find out the extent of cancer spread. Staging tests include MRI or CT scans of brain, pelvic area, abdomen or chest.

• Stage 0 or Carcinoma in Situ: Stage 0 shows abnormal cellular growth in innermost layer of colon wall, also called mucosa. These cells may lead to cancer spread. This is an early stage of growth.
• Stage 1: Stage 1 means cancer has spread to the tissue layer under mucosa, which is called sub mucosa. This indicates that cancer has spread to inner layer of colon.
• Stage 2: Stage 2 is split into the stages 2A, 2B and 2C.
  • Stage 2A: Cancer has reached to the outermost layer of colon, also called serosa.
  • Stage 2B: Cancer has spread through outermost layer of colon but has not spread to the other organs in the proximity.
  • Stage 2C: Stage 2C states that cancer has spread through serosa to the other organs in the proximity.
• Stage 3: Stage 3 indicates that cancer has spread to the lymph node or, if more severe, lymph nodes, in the vicinity.
• Stage 4: Cancer has spread to the other organs such as ovary, lung or liver.

Treatment
Treatment by stage includes surgery, to remove unwanted cells, chemotherapy to kill cancer cells and radiation therapy to destruct cancerous tissue. Stage 0 can be alleviated by colonoscopy, whereas, stages 1, 2 and 3 need complicated surgery. Treatment consists of chemotherapy or radiation to the liver, ablation, cryotherapy and cutting the cancer. In case of stage 4, chemotherapy is used to rectify the symptoms and extend patient's life.

Treatment for stage 4 cancer consists of chemotherapy which can be administered through veins (IV), shots, pills or injections. Radiation therapy may also have to be administered while giving chemotherapy. Chemotherapy cycles vary between a day to a week or more. There is a rest period, varying between a few weeks, or months, between each cycle. In prolonged chemotherapy, a catheter is lodged into a vein, close to the heart. The side effects of chemotherapy may include damage to the healthy cells, along with cancer cells, resulting in suffering from pain due to the damage to nerves, getting prone to infections, loss of appetite and weight, diarrhea and vomiting and excess bleeding. These side effects mainly depend upon the cancer type and the drugs administered.

It is very essential to start treatment in time, for better results, since it is the last stage and the life expectancy is bleak. So, if you observe any symptoms mentioned above, consult your doctor immediately and get treated timely.