Colorectal Cancer Treatment in Houston, Texas

When the healthy cells in the lining of colon or rectum grow out of control forming a mass of extra and unwanted bulge, then it can be called a colorectal cancer. This may be genetic but mostly it is due to environmental factors or an uncommon inherited syndrome. The tumor begins as a polyp and becomes life- threatening if not detected during the beginning.

Symptoms such as a change in eating habits, blood in the stool, discomfort while sitting, anemia, tiredness, weight loss may be seen in the person suffering from first stage colorectal cancer.

Stages of Colorectal Cancer

Stages of colorectal cancer, is determined by the doctor initially using the TNM system which is used in determining the tumor growth, its spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body. There are in total 5 stages of colorectal cancer ranging from 0 to IV.

Stages of colorectal cancer, is determined by the doctor initially using the TNM system which is used in determining the tumor growth, its spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body. There are in total 5 stages of colorectal cancer ranging from 0 to IV.
Stage 0: The cancer stays in one place only and is recognized to be in the inner lining and mucosa.Stage I : The cancer may or may not have grown large and invaded the muscular layer and, the abdomen of the colon or the rectum.Stage II: If the tumor does not grow large during the first stage then, the growth is seen in stage II.Stage III: The cancer grows through the bowel wall, intestine and towards the lymph nodes. but has not spread to other body parts.Stage IV: The cancer has spread to the liver and the lungs and grows larger. A cancer at this stage is a very pathetic and dangerous situation

Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

Specialists in the field of gastrointestine, oncologist, surgeons and other nurses sit together and choose the best option of medication for the patient. The factors they consider include: overall health of the patient, preferences of the patient, nutritional and family support. The types of treatment suggested are radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy and targeted therapy.

Specialists in the field of gastro-intestine, oncologist, surgeons and other nurses consult together to determine the best option of medication for the patient. The factors considered include: the overall health of the patient, preferences of the patient, nutritional and family support. The types of treatment suggested are radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy and targeted therapy.
Chemotherapy used is generally of two different types and they are: systemic chemotherapy and regional chemotherapy. In these types of chemotherapy, the drug is directly injected in the veins, given orally or is directly injected in the artery which passes through the bloodstream. Adjuvant chemo and neoadjuvant chemo are other forms of chemotherapy performed at different times. The neoadjuvant is given before the surgery. in an effort to shrink the tumor to make the surgical removal of the tumor easier. The after surgery chemo which is the adjuvant chemotherapy is administered after surgery and helps in the killing or stopping of the further growth of the tumor.

Some of the major drugs used for the treatment of colorectal cancer are irinotecan, oxaliplatin and trifluridine.

Neuropathy, hair loss, numbness in hand or feet, diarrhea, weight loss and mouth sores are some of the side effects of the chemotherapy drugs.

Hair loss, loss of sexual desire, diarrhea, weight loss, erectile dysfunction, depression, sweating and osteopenia are some of the major side effects seen after the chemotherapy. The process may or may not be successful depending on the patient’s capacity and health conditions.