Stage 2 Colon Cancer - Definition And Treatment.
When people discuss cancer, you will probably hear them mention the stage their cancer is at. Defining the stage of colon cancer is a little complex but in this article we will try and simplify it so that you won't need a PHD in Biological Science to understand more about the disease. If you (or a loved one) have been diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer then you will have probably already had an operation, as this is usually how doctors are able to determine which stage the cancer is at. By knowing what stage you are at you can make some assumptions on the type of treatment you will need remove the cancer in your colon and prevent it returning. It is probably worth noting here that although you may hear the term, colon cancer, colorectal cancer, or bowel cancer, they actually ALL refer to the same thing. So, let's look at stage 2 colon cancer and what it means in English, to you.
The diagnosis of stage 2 colon cancer means that the cancer has affected the muscular wall of the colon and it may mean that other tissue nearby is also infected. Lymph nodes and other organs however, will not have been reached b the cancer. Stage 2 colon cancer is treatable and also curable and the treatment you are likely to receive is as follows.
First of all you will have an operation. Any operation of this nature is major surgery as will seriously disrupt the digestive system for a short while. This operation, in most cases will involve a process that is known as 'resection'. What this means is that the surgeon will locate the affected area of your colon and cut away that part of your intestine. He or she will then rejoin the two healthy ends together. Depending upon where the cancer is and how much is removed you may have to permanently wear a colostomy bag.
Once you have had your operation, (if you are considered strong enough) you will then be treated for the removal of the rest of the cancer that the operation was unable to remove. This may involve clinical trials of various therapies including biological, radiation, or chemotherapy. If your cancer has affected some tissue outside, (but nearby) the colon, then in most cases you will receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Often these two treatments are combined and you will be given both simultaneously. If you do have chemotherapy then you may be given this is tablet form. It will have the same effect as if you were on a drip, but can sometime be less invasive and you may even have to spend less time at the hospital.
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