A Team Approach to Treating Colon and Rectal Cancer

Cary B. Aarons, MD, is an assistant professor of surgery in colon and rectal surgery. In this blog, he discusses surgical treatment of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer diagnosed in the United States. Fortunately, the overall prognosis for treating colorectal cancer is quite favorable if it is discovered early. In fact, up to 90 percent of patients whose colorectal cancer is diagnosed and treated in the early stages can be cured.

The management of colorectal cancer requires a team approach. From the time of diagnosis, comprehensive treatment demands a coordinated effort between the patient, family, gastroenterologist, oncologist, and surgeon. At Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center, every patient receives a multidisciplinary approach to their cancer care, meaning every member of the team involved in their care works together under one roof.

Experienced patient navigators also assist patients throughout the course of their treatment.

The treatment recommended primarily depends on the stage of the cancer, or the extent to which the cancer has spread.

Surgery offers the only potential for curing cancers localized to the colon and rectum. Invasive cancers localized to the colon typically require a partial colectomy, a procedure in which part of the colon is removed. This procedure is often done with laparoscopic surgery. The surgeon makes smaller incisions in the abdomen through, which specialized cameras and instruments can be inserted. This minimally invasive approach is often less painful and results in a quicker recovery. Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery for rectal cancer are still being studied.

A physician may recommend chemotherapy and radiation be used initially to treat invasive cancers localized to the rectum to decrease the possibility of recurrence after surgery.

Advanced cases of colorectal cancer require chemotherapy and in select cases, there may be a role for surgery.

Learn more about treatment options for colorectal cancer at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center.

Watch Focus On Gastrointestinal Cancers – an educational conference for patients with a gastrointestinal cancer.

March is colorectal cancer awareness month – learn more.