Colon Cancer
Advanced treatment for colon cancer including surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy based on stage and molecular markers.
Colon Cancer
Solid Tumors
Overview
Advanced treatment for colon cancer including surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy based on stage and molecular markers.
When to Consult
After colonoscopy findings, positive fecal occult blood test, or confirmed colon cancer diagnosis.
What to Bring
Colonoscopy reports, biopsy results, CT scans, CEA blood test results, and family history of colorectal cancer.
Risk Factors
Causes
Treatment Options
Surgery
Surgical removal of the colon tumor and surrounding lymph nodes. Options include colectomy (partial or total), laparoscopic surgery, or robotic-assisted surgery. May involve colostomy or ileostomy depending on tumor location.
Chemotherapy
Systemic drug therapy using FOLFOX (5-FU, leucovorin, oxaliplatin) or FOLFIRI (5-FU, leucovorin, irinotecan) regimens. Used as adjuvant therapy after surgery for stage III/IV cancers, or as neoadjuvant therapy to shrink tumors before surgery.
Targeted Therapy
Precision treatments including anti-angiogenic agents (bevacizumab, ramucirumab), EGFR inhibitors (cetuximab, panitumumab) for KRAS wild-type tumors, and BRAF/MEK inhibitors for BRAF-mutated cancers based on molecular profiling.
Immunotherapy
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (pembrolizumab, nivolumab) for microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colon cancers. Particularly effective in advanced or metastatic disease with these genetic features.
Radiation Therapy
Less commonly used for colon cancer but may be employed for locally advanced tumors, palliative care, or in combination with chemotherapy (chemoradiation) for specific cases.
Combination Therapy
Multimodal approach combining surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy tailored to cancer stage, molecular markers (KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, MSI status), and patient health for optimal outcomes.