Colorectal cancer is defined as the growth and development of cancerous cells around the colon and the rectum. According to statistics, colorectal cancer has had a higher percentage of effects on women as compared to men. In an attempt at finding the best way to treat colorectal cancer, doctors have to identify the symptoms and causes of this disease first. Later, they found metastatic colorectal cancer treatment to be helpful in relieving such symptoms.
Colorectal Cancer Symptoms
• An increased level of diarrhoea and also constipation
• Elements of blood in the stool
• Elements of blood in the rectum
• An exceeding pain along the abdomen
• Lack of appetite
• A feeling of unexplained fatigue and a feeling of tiredness
Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treatment
metastatic colorectal cancer treatment is a combination of drugs used for patients with metastasized cancer. The FDA-approved drug is meant for patients with KRAs wild-type tumors and tumors with the protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This EGFR protein is found in other cells like skin and hair follicles, but they play a significant role in the growth of cancerous cells as well. works by blocking this protein’s activity, hence inhibiting its effects on the cancerous cells.
There are three ways to take :
i) It is administered in combination with Folfiri for first-time patients.
ii) Patients whose disease had progressed after chemotherapy with Irinotecan can take with Irinotecan.
iii) Patients who had their disease progress after treatment with both Irinotecan and Oxaliplatin, as well as patients who are unable to tolerate Irinotecan, can take on its own.
When was used in treating colorectal cancer, study shows…
i) the disease’s progression slowed.
ii) the patient lived longer.
iii) the patient’s tumor shrunk significantly.
When choosing to undergo the metastatic colorectal cancer treatment, various factors have to be considered. These factors include the stage of cancer, the cancer’s ability to reoccur, and the patient’s current health status. If this treatment is not for you, doctors can prescribe other methods for treating colorectal cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy.
Surgery
This is applied in almost all hospitals. In an attempt to reduce the chances of cancer spreading, the affected parts are removed. These parts may include the tumor itself or nearby areas. Sometimes, the rectum may have to be completely removed.
Chemotherapy
This involves using medicine to completely destroy the cancerous cells. It is mostly preferred before surgery. There are various methods, for example, doctors can use targeted therapy to target the specific proteins that are behind the growth of cancerous cells. Research has shown that chemotherapy has reduced chances of death, especially for patients who have a family history of colon cancer.
Radiotherapy
Doctors use a certain high radiation beam to destroy cancerous cells. This treatment is also used before surgery to eliminate traces of a tumor in a patient.
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