During a colostomy, the doctor creates an opening in the abdomen through which solid waste leaves the body. Chemotherapy uses medications to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is sometimes given after surgery to try to prevent the disease from spreading. This additional therapy is called adjuvant therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing.
Radiation therapy is a local therapy because it affects only the cancer cells in the treated area.
Biological therapy tries to get your own body to fight the disease. It uses materials made by your own body or made in a laboratory. Sometimes biological therapy will be combined with chemotherapy. There are steps you can take to help prevent colorectal cancer. Decrease the amount of fat in your diet.