Stage III colon cancer is cancer of the colon that is no longer contained within this portion of the large intestines, according the Cleveland Clinic, and has now metastasized into the neighboring lymph nodes. With this more advanced stage of colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, certain treatment protocols will now dictate the course of care from this point out. However, the health of the individual as well as the severity of the spread will also determine the action a doctor may decide to take.
Surgery
For most people with stage III colon cancer, an oncologist will recommend surgery, either standard or laparoscopic. During this procedure, also known simply as a colectomy, the surgeon will essentially remove a portion of the colon containing the cancerous cells and any neighboring tissue as well. He would then construct a connection between the healthy portions of the remaining colon so that a somewhat normal function can take place within the large intestines.
Chemotherapy
Following surgery for stage III colon cancer, the patient would then go through a series of chemotherapy treatments. What this therapy entails is the oral or intravenous administration of "cancer-killing" drugs, according to Cleveland Clinic, to kill any remaining cancer cells that may still be present after the surgery. Because the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, we already know that these cells still remain. Though post-surgery use is the conventional protocol for this stage of colon cancer, some oncologists will use it prior to surgery to reduce the size of the cancer.
Target Drug Therapy
In some cases, the oncologist may not opt for chemotherapy after surgery, but instead use a course of targeted drug therapy alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are three drugs that are now available for people with more advanced stages of colon cancer, as would be the case in stage III. These are cetuximab, bevacizumab and panitumumab. These drugs deprive the cancerous cells of the nutrients they need to subsist and keep them from dividing. Some of these drugs are still considered experimental, but they can be used when other options haven't gotten positive results.
Radiation Therapy
While treatment protocol for stage III colon cancer entails a surgical procedure followed by chemotherapy or target drug therapy, some relatively rare cases dictate another adjunct form of care. This would include some type of radiation therapy. After surgery, the patient undergoes both chemo and radiation to kill the remaining cancer.
Side Effects
As with any course of care, there are side effects to each treatment within the protocol of care for stage III colon cancer. With surgery, this would include some pain and discomfort within the surgical site, constipation and/or diarrhea and the potential for infection. With chemotherapy, this would include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss and fatigue. With radiation therapy, this would include nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite and fatigue.
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