Radiation Therapy for Colorectal Cancer

Radiation Therapy for Colorectal Cancer is an article that aims to give you all the information you do not know about radiation therapy for colorectal cancer and more. We kindly shared the main headings with you;

The colon, or large intestine, is the long tube that aids in moving digested food to your rectum and out of your body. This is where colon (colorectal) cancer begins. Certain growths called polyps in the inner lining of your colon can lead to colon cancer. Screening tests are available to healthcare providers to identify precancerous polyps before they develop into malignant tumors. If colon cancer is not identified or treated, it may spread to other body parts. Fewer people are losing their lives to colon cancer as a result of screening tests, early detection, and innovative treatment options. 

Layers of muscle, tissue, and mucous membrane make up your intestinal wall. The mucosa, or innermost lining of your colon, is where colon cancer begins. It is made up of cells that produce and secrete fluids, including mucus. A colon polyp could form if these cells alter or mutate. Colon polyps may develop into cancer over time. (A colon polyp typically takes ten years to develop cancer.) The cancer spreads throughout your colon’s outer layer, muscle, and tissue if it is not found or treated. Additionally, colon cancer may spread through your blood arteries or lymph nodes to other areas of your body.

• Smoking: The use of tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes and chewing tobacco, raises the risk of colon cancer.
• Overindulgence in alcohol: Men and people with AMAB should generally keep their alcohol intake to no more than two servings per day. One serving of alcoholic beverages per day is recommended for women and people who identify as AFAB. Consuming alcohol, even in moderation, can raise your risk of cancer.
• Being overweight: Consuming foods heavy in fat and calories can have an impact on your weight and raise your risk of colon cancer. consuming a lot of processed meat, such as lunch meat, bacon, and sausage, as well as red meat. Physicians advise consuming no more than two portions of processed or red meat per week.
• Not working out: Engaging in physical activity can lower your risk of colon cancer.

• Blood on or in your stool (poop): If you discover blood in the toilet after you wipe or defecate, or if the color of your poop is dark or brilliant red, get in touch with a healthcare professional. It’s crucial to keep in mind that having blood in your feces does not indicate colon cancer. Your poop’s appearance can also be altered by other factors, such as consuming beets, anal tears, or hemorrhoids. Nevertheless, it’s best to consult a medical professional as soon as you notice blood in or on your stool.
• Constant modifications to your bowel routine (the way you poop): If you feel like you still need to poop after using the restroom, or if you have ongoing constipation or diarrhea, see a healthcare professional.
• Abdominal (belly) discomfort: If you have severe, persistent, or unidentifiable stomach pain, see a healthcare professional. Belly discomfort can be caused by a variety of factors, but if it seems out of the ordinary or occurs frequently, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional. Similar to stomach pain, a variety of factors can cause bloating in the stomach. If your bloated stomach persists for more than a week, gets worse, or you experience other symptoms like vomiting or blood in or on your stool, see a doctor.
• Unexpected weight loss: This is a discernible decrease in body weight that occurs when you’re not attempting to reduce weight.
• Vomiting: See a doctor if you throw up frequently and for no apparent reason, or if you vomit a lot in 24 hours.
• Breathlessness and exhaustion: These are signs of anemia. Anemia could indicate colon cancer.

The most popular test for colon cancer screening is a colonoscopy. Additional assessments consist of:

• The fecal immunochemical test (FIT): Looks for blood clots in your stool. Medical pathologists test samples of your feces for blood that may be invisible to the naked eye.
• Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT): This test searches for blood in feces that may be invisible, much like the FIT.
• Fecal DNA test: This test examines your feces for indications of blood products and genetic alterations.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy: Medical professionals use a flexible scope known as a sigmoidoscope to examine your lower colon and rectum.
• Virtual colonoscopy: A virtual colonoscopy is an X-ray that examines your colon and rectum to check for polyps, tumors, and ulcers (sores).

If you got diagnosed with colorectal cancer you can prefer to create your specialized treatment package and calculate the cost of it. Just click below, it takes a few minutes.

The stages of colorectal cancer as follows,

• Stage 0: This is sometimes referred to as cancer in situ by medical professionals. When they mention mucosa, the innermost layer of the colon wall, they are referring to aberrant or precancerous cells.
• Stage I: Colorectal cancer in stage I has penetrated the intestinal wall but hasn’t gotten past the muscular coat or into nearby lymph nodes.
• Stage II: The cancer has progressed farther into the intestinal wall but has not reached any neighboring lymph nodes.
• Stage III: Your lymph nodes have been affected by colon cancer at this point. 
• Stage IV: The cancer has progressed to other parts of your body, including the ovaries, liver, or lungs.

Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

The most typical treatment for colon cancer is surgery. There are various operations and methods for colon cancer: 

• Polypectomy: This procedure eliminates malignant polyps. Another name for partial colectomy is colon resection surgery. The portion of your colon with the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue are removed by surgeons. They will perform a process known as anastomosis to rejoin healthy colon portions.
• Surgical resection combined with colostomy: Surgeons remove the portion of your colon containing the tumor, much like they would with a colectomy. However, they are unable to join healthy colon portions during this procedure. Rather, they perform a colostomy. Your bowel is transferred to an opening in your abdominal wall with a colostomy, allowing your waste to be collected in a bag. 
• Radiofrequency ablation: This process kills cancer cells by heating them up.

Immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer

A medical procedure known as immunotherapy stimulates the body’s immune system to destroy cancer cells. By targeting bacteria and other cells that shouldn’t be in the body, the immune system combats illnesses. The way cancer cells persist is by evading the immune system. Through immunotherapy, cancer cells are located and destroyed by immune system cells. Advanced colon cancer is typically the only indication for immunotherapy.

 

Radiotherapy for Colorectal Cancer

Strong energy beams are used in radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells. Protons, X-rays, and other sources are possible sources of energy. Before surgery, radiation therapy can help a large cancer shrink so that it is easier to remove. Radiation therapy may be used to treat symptoms like discomfort when surgery is not an option. Some patients receive chemotherapy and radiation therapy concurrently.

 

Target Therapy for Colorectal Cancer

Medications that target specific molecules in cancer cells are used in targeted therapy. Targeted therapies can kill cancer cells by preventing these substances from functioning. Chemotherapy is typically used in addition to targeted therapy. Patients with metastatic colon cancer are usually treated with targeted therapy.

The management for patients with colon cancer differs according on the cancer’s stage. Patients undergoing surgery for Stage 0 or Stage I colon cancer, for instance, might undergo a colonoscopy one year following the procedure, another three years later, and a third five years later.

A patient with Stage 0 or Stage 1 colon cancer might be able to postpone getting another colonoscopy for a few more years if the follow-up exams don’t reveal any new cancerous growths. After receiving effective therapy for Stage II or Stage III colon cancer, patients should plan to see their doctor every three to six months for the first two years following treatment. Following surgery, patients are usually monitored for five years. Imaging tests, CEA blood tests, and colonoscopies are among the exams they might undergo.

• Steer clear of tobacco. Speak with a healthcare professional about smoking cessation programs if you smoke and need assistance quitting.
• When consuming alcoholic beverages, use moderation.
• Sustain a healthy weight.
• Consume a balanced diet. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables while reducing your intake of processed meals, high-fat, high-calorie items, and red meat. Coffee consumption may reduce your chance of colon cancer.
• Observe your family’s medical background. Cancer of the colon may run in families. Inform your healthcare practitioner of any cancer in your family that occurred before the age of 45, including advanced polyps or colon cancer in your siblings, children, or biological parents.

Choosing radiation therapy for colorectal cancer in Turkey, like anywhere else, depends on various factors including the stage of the cancer, the patient’s overall health, and preferences, as well as the expertise and resources available at the treatment center. Here are some reasons why radiation therapy might be chosen for colorectal cancer treatment in Turkey:

• Access to advanced technology and expertise: Turkey has made significant advancements in healthcare infrastructure, including cancer treatment facilities and technology. Access to modern radiation therapy techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) can improve treatment outcomes and reduce side effects.
• Multidisciplinary approach: In leading cancer centers in Turkey, treatment decisions are made by multidisciplinary teams consisting of oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, and other specialists. This collaborative approach ensures that patients receive personalized treatment plans tailored to their specific needs.
• Cost-effectiveness: Turkey offers high-quality healthcare services at relatively lower costs compared to many Western countries, making it an attractive option for medical tourists seeking cancer treatment, including radiation therapy.

If have further questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Medical Center Turkey. Just click below to get a free consultation.