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Metastatic colorectal cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the colon or rectum and spreads to other parts of the body. Due to its invasive nature, it can be incredibly difficult to treat.
Locations
Colorectal cancer can spread to any other organs, though the greatest chance of successful treatment lies in the cancer spreading to nearby locations, specifically the liver.
Types
Metastasized colorectal cancer is divided into two groups: resectable and nonresectable. Resectable cancer is cancer that can typically be removed surgically.
Surgery
The primary method of treatment for resectable metastatic colorectal cancer is surgical removal. According to Dr. R.M. Goldberg, et al., in the 1998 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, the complete surgical removal of the metastasized cancer results in a roughly 30 percent cure rate.
Chemotherapy
After surgery and in cases where surgery is not an option, chemotherapy is used. It can be conventional, which uses a specific set of drugs, or targeted, which works by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
Side Effects
Chemotherapy has several side effects, including fatigue, diarrhea, hair loss, skin rash and low levels of magnesium in the blood.
Source:
Colorectal cancer treatment; metastatic cancer
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center: Colon and Rectal Cancer, Metastatic (Spreading)
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