Colorectal Cancer 

Colorectal cancer specialists can help you with the diagnosis and treatment of your condition. Diagnostic tests like computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can pinpoint the exact location of your cancer. Imaging studies can also help determine whether previous treatments were successful. Your doctor can use these imaging tests to plan a treatment plan that will target your cancer.

Treatment options

Colorectal Cancer specialists can offer you a range of treatment options to help you fight your disease. These treatments include surgeries and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to target and kills cancer cells. It is typically used before and after surgery to shrink tumors. For advanced cases of colorectal cancer, it may also be used in combination with radiation therapy. Your doctor will determine the type of medication that will be most effective for your condition.

In addition to surgery, colorectal cancer specialists often offer a range of palliative care. While chemotherapy is commonly used to kill cancer cells, palliative care helps patients cope with the side effects of the disease. Patients may also opt for resection, a surgical procedure where part of the colon is removed to relieve blockage or other problems related to cancer. In some cases, this type of surgery can cure the disease completely if the cancer has spread to a limited area of the body.

Diagnostic tests

A CT scan is a type of diagnostic test that uses x-ray equipment to make cross-sectional or 3-D images of your internal organs. These images can provide a great deal of detail about your cancer. This type of test can also be used to check for any possible spread of the disease. A CT scan of the abdomen may also include a biopsy to detect cancer cells.

When you visit a colorectal cancer specialist, they may recommend several diagnostic tests. These tests can help your doctor determine if you have cancer, and they can help you determine the appropriate treatment. The doctor will also ask you about your health history and whether there have been any symptoms that might indicate cancer.

Chemotherapy

While colorectal cancer is one of the most common causes of death in the United States, early diagnosis can often lead to a full recovery. Nearly all colon cancers start as noncancerous polyps that slowly develop into cancerous cells. Some people also have inherited diseases that increase their risk of colon cancer. For example, some people have Lynch syndrome, a condition where the lining of the colon is abnormal.

The choice of chemotherapy for colorectal cancer depends on a variety of factors, including the type of cancer, the stage of the disease, and the side effects associated with the treatment. Patients and doctors work together to determine the best course of treatment based on their individual needs.

Palliative care

Colorectal cancer treatment often has side effects that can have a negative impact on the quality of life. Palliative care focuses on reducing symptoms and stress and can help patients cope with cancer treatment. This type of care can be provided in the hospital or outpatient clinic, as well as at home.

Palliative care specialists identify the patient's needs and match the type of treatment to meet those needs. Their services range from counseling to assisting patients with symptoms and treatment consequences. In addition, they are able to match the treatment options to the patient's personal preferences.