After your initial colon cancer surgery, the issue of metastatic colon cancer may arise. When cancer metastasizes, it moves from one organ or body part to another. During your cancer treatment, your surgeon and other medical professionals will evaluate your situation to assess the risk for metastatic colon cancer. They will advise you about any additional treatment they may recommend. Adjuvant therapy treatments include chemotherapy, radiation and anti-cancer drugs.
Adjuvant therapy can be very important in treating colon cancer.
For example, during the past 20 years, clinical trial testing of colon cancer patients has demonstrated just how effective chemotherapy can be. The trials showed that, following a colectomy, patients who had 6 to 9 months of chemotherapy treatments experienced a reduced likelihood of tumor recurrence by as much as 40 percent. Common side effects of chemotherapy, radiation and anti-cancer drugs are diarrhea, sore mouth, low blood count that results in fevers, and reddening of the skin. If you experience any of these symptoms, your care team can help you manage them with special medications that will increase your comfort. When you are being treated for colon cancer, your care team may include a variety of health care professionals.