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Annie Mueller

Annie Mueller is a freelance writer based in Missouri who covers business, tech, finance and health as well as managing content for SaaS teams and financial firms. Her work has appeared on NBC Business News, The Financial Brand, Success, Entrepreneur and Forbes, among others. Say hi on Twitter @anniemueller, where she's usually talking about whiskey or cats. 



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Treatment Options for Colon Cancer infographic

Treatment Options for Colon Cancer

Early diagnosis makes treatment easier, but there are options for every stage.

Conditions & Treatments
colon cancer

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Medically reviewed by Chloe Atreya, M.D.

Treatment Options for Colon Cancer infographic. Click to view PDF


Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer, is one of the most common cancers in the US.

There are several treatment options and the best treatment depends on how far the cancer has progressed.

Sometimes, more than one treatment option is combined.

Surgery

Polypectomy

  • A special tool is used to detach and remove polyp(s) from the colon
  • Performed during a colonoscopy for superficial, early stage cancer

Colectomy

  • Removes part or all of the colon when the cancer has developed
    • If part of the colon is removed, the two ends are reattached
    • If it’s not possible to reattach the colon, you’ll need a colostomy
  • Minimally invasive; performed as laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery

Colostomy

  • Diverts food waste from the large intestine (colon) to an opening in the abdomen, called a stoma
    • Can be temporary or permanent

Ileostomy

  • Attaches part of the small intestine to an opening in the abdomen (a stoma), so that food waste can exit
    • Can be temporary or permanent

Ablation and embolization

  • Used to destroy small tumors that have spread to other places, like the liver or lungs

Radiation, Chemotherapy & Targeted Therapy

These treatments are often used to shrink tumors before surgery, or to kill any cancer cells left behind after surgery. Treatments vary, depending on the stage and location of the cancer (colon vs. rectal).

Radiation therapy
  • Destroys cancer cells via high energy waves
  • More common for rectal cancer, but sometimes may be appropriate for colon cancer
  • Can be external or internal
Chemotherapy
  • Drugs that travel through the blood and attack cancer cells
  • Given by injection or taken by mouth
  • Often goes in cycles with rest periods in between to minimize side effects
In advanced stages when surgery isn’t an option, radiation and/or chemo can help shrink tumors and slow the growth of cancer.
Targeted therapy
  • Drugs that target specific proteins in cancer cells
  • Used alone or alongside chemo, after testing for certain biomarker
  • Given by injection or taken by mouth
  • Might help people with advanced colon cancer live longer

Immunotherapy

  • Can be used for some people with certain types of colorectal cancer
  • Helps the immune system find and destroy cancer cells
  • Typically given by injection

Clinical Trials

  • Research studies that involve real patients
  • May focus on new treatments, like emerging immunotherapy drugs
  • May look at ways to improve current treatments

Taking part in a clinical trial can give you more options, and they’re a very important part of developing better treatments for colon cancer. It’s important to work with your healthcare team to determine if an open clinical trial is a good option for you.

This educational resource was created with support from Daiichi Sankyo, Merck and Takeda Oncology.

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C. diff is the name of a common, easily transmittable infection caused by the bacterium Clostridioides difficile. The infection causes your colon (bowel) wall to become inflamed, resulting in severe, watery diarrhea. Left untreated, it can cause a serious complication called toxic megacolon.

C. diff affects about 250,000 people in the United States every year. Some people get it only once in their lifetime, but if you have a C. diff infection, there is up to a 1 in 4 chance you might relapse (the same infection returns) or get it again within eight weeks. People at the highest risk for a C. diff infection are those who take or have recently taken antibiotics, especially if they have a weak immune system.

The bacteria live in feces (poop), and in soil and water. They spread easily and can live for a long time on hard and soft surfaces, like linens and clothing. If someone who has C. diff on their hands touches a door handle and you touch it after, the bacteria transfer to your hand. They then can enter your gastrointestinal system if you touch your mouth or handle food before washing your hands.

Protect yourself and others from getting a C. diff infection in a healthcare setting

hand washing in a hospital

If you are a patient in a hospital, skilled nursing facility or rehabilitation center, you are at higher risk of getting a C. diff infection — not just because you likely have a weak immune system from the condition that put you in the facility but also because of the number of people you may encounter while you’re there.

Here are some steps you can take to lower the risk of getting C. diff in a healthcare facility:

  1. Make sure all healthcare workers and visitors wash their hands before they touch you and your things. If you don’t see them wash their hands, ask them to do so.
  2. Wash your hands well with soap and water every time you use the bathroom. If you use a bedside commode, ask to be transported to a sink to wash your hands or use a waterless hand sanitizer.
  3. Wash your hands before eating or drinking. If you can’t get to a sink, ask the staff or a friend to supply you with a waterless hand sanitizer to use while you are in bed or sitting in your chair.
  4. Allow cleaning staff access to your environment. Clear everything off the bedside table or nightstand, and remove clothing or linens from the bedside rails so they can be wiped down.

Patients with a diagnosed C. diff infection should not share a room with someone who does not have the infection. If you do share a room and your roommate contracts C. diff, ask to be moved.

Stop the spread of C. diff at home

household cleaning supplies

C. diff doesn’t just affect people in healthcare facilities. It can happen at home, too.

Here are steps you can take to reduce the risk of spreading C. diff at home:

  1. If your home has a second bathroom, reserve one for the person with the C. diff infection to limit exposure to others.
  2. If your home has only one bathroom, make sure the toilet seat, flusher, faucets, light switches and doorknob are cleaned with a bleach-based cleaner after each use.
  3. If the infected person is immobile, keep waterless hand sanitizer within reach.
  4. Clean common home surfaces (door knobs, light switches, fridge handles, etc.).
  5. Wash clothing (especially underwear), towels and linens separately and in the hottest water possible.
  6. Wear disposable gloves while handling clothing and linens, especially if the person is incontinent (loses control of their bowels). Wash your hands after removing the gloves.
  7. Shower with soap to remove C. diff that may be on the skin.

This educational resource was created with support from Seres Therapeutics and Nestle Health Science.