Although it does not always happen, colon and liver cancer can go hand-in-hand. There are several medical treatments available for each disease individually as well as in conjunction with one another. Which treatment is chosen will depend upon several factors including the size of the affected area, the stage of cancer, and the patient's overall health.
Surgical Treatment
Small localized tumors may be removable via laparoscopic surgery. The procedure requires only small abdominal incisions through which the surgeon inserts a catheter and lighted camera. Once in place, he can visualize and remove the tumor.
Some instances require invasive surgery, which, in the case of colon cancer, could involve complete or partial bowel removal or reconstruction, along with surrounding lymph nodes and tissue. Frozen sections are taken during the process until the results come back clear. Bowel resections (partial removal) are done whenever possible to let patients retain bowel function. In some cases; however, colon removal is necessary. Then, a new opening in the abdominal wall is created through which waste can be eliminated via a colostomy bag.
Unfortunately, in roughly two-thirds of all liver tumor cases, surgical removal is not feasible. Some tumors are inoperable due to size, while others have blood vessel connections with other major organs and, therefore, cannot be severed. When colon or liver cancer is advanced, palliative surgery may be done to slow bleeding and alleviate pain or other symptoms.
Liver transplant has proved effective in cases where the cancer has not yet spread to surrounding organs. However, finding a liver donor can be problematic and could take years.
Chemotherapy Treatment
In instances where cancer has already spread outside the organ, chemotherapy may be required. Using drugs to kill additional cancer cells can control future tumor growth. Recent clinical trials suggest that liver cancer patients fare better when chemotherapy drugs are delivered through a hepatic arterial infusion inserted into the abdominal wall. The pump delivers the drug directly into the organ, which seems to be more effective.
Radiation Treatment
Radiation therapy, used alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy, can accomplish several things. Used before surgery, it can shrink tumors, making them easier to remove. It can also be used to kill cancer cells remaining after surgery. Finally, it can be used to treat certain symptoms of colon cancer.
Ablative Treatment
More than 50 percent of colon cancer patients will also develop liver tumors. When liver surgery is not viable, ablative treatments are used. This radio frequency procedure inserts a needle into the liver tumor through which heated radio energy is used to destroy affected cells. Another ablative treatment is cryotherapy. This procedure also inserts a needle into the tumor, this time to deliver carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen. It freezes and destroys the targeted tumor.
Tags: colon cancer, liver cancer, through which, abdominal wall, cancer cells, cancer patients
