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What are the treatment options for colon and rectal cancer?


Treatment for colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) depends on the location of the tumor and the stage of diagnosis

Treatment for colorectal cancer by stage


Stage describes the extent of the cancer in the body and is one of the most important factors in determining prognosis and treatment options.

The higher stages of cancer require advanced treatment options.

Stage 0 = Earliest stage of colorectal cancer

Stage 4 = Most advanced stage of colorectal cancer

STAGE SURGERY CHEMOTHERAPY /
BIOLOGICS/IMMUNOTHERAPY
RADIATION INTERVENTIONAL
RADIOLOGY
Stage 0 Yes No No No
Stage 1 Yes No No No
Stage 2 Yes Yes, for rectal and high-risk colon cancers. FOLFOX (5-FU/Leucovorin/Oxaliplatin) or CapeOx (Capecitabine/ Oxaliplatin) Yes, for rectal cancer. May be given with 5-FU or Xeloda (Capecitabine) No
Stage 3 Yes FOLFOX or CapeOx Yes, for rectal cancer. May be given with 5-FU or Xeloda (Capecitabine) No
Stage 4 Yes, if the tumor is obstructive or blocking the bowel or if there are limited metastases FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, FOLFIRINOX, CapeOx, Capecitabine, 5-FU/Leucovorin, Irinotecan, Avastin, Erbitux, Perjeta, Tykerb, Enhertu, Vectibix, Zaltrap, Stivarga, Lonsurf, Cyramza. Keytruda, Jemperli, Opdivo+/-Yervoy for certain patients with dMMR/MSI-H cancer.  Yes, for rectal cancer and in certain other cases Possibly. Options could be Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA), Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), or chemoembolization (liver-directed therapy)           

Additional Resources


QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE TREATMENT FOR METASTATIC COLORECTAL CANCER

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PERSONALIZED TREATMENT PROGRAM

Learn more

TREATMENT OPTIONS BY STAGE

Download PDF

METASTATIC TREATMENT OPTIONS

Download PDF

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