Anton Bilchik Discusses Treatment for Colorectal Cancer by Stage

Anton Bilchik Discusses Treatment for Colorectal Cancer by Stage

Colorectal cancer, which is the abnormal growth of cells in the colon or rectum, is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Doctors describe the growth of a particular cancer in terms of stages, and will often prescribe a course of treatment depending on the stage of that cancer. Here, Anton Bilchik MD discusses treatment for colorectal cancer by stage

Stage 0

In stage 0 cancers, the tumor has not grown beyond the inner lining of the colon, which is the lowest part of the intestine. Dr. Bilchik would likely recommend surgery, alone, to remove the cancer; many patients require no further treatment

Stage I

Stage I cancers have grown through several layers of the intestine or rectum, but have not grown past the colon. Anton Bilchik would probably recommend a partial colectomy, which is surgery to remove the cancerous part of the colon and the nearby lymph glands. Patients generally require no further treatment

Stage II

These cancers have grown past the walls of the intestine and may extend to nearby tissue, but not to lymph glands. These patients may need only a colectomy, sometimes called a bowel resection, which entails removing all or part of the colon. Some physicians recommend chemotherapy for some patients at stage II, especially in cases where the cancer looks very abnormal or causes a hole or blockage in the intestine

Stage III

Dr. Bilchik often recommends a partial colectomy and chemotherapy for patients with stage III colorectal cancer. At this stage, the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, but not to other parts of the body. Radiation is sometimes helpful

Stage IV

Stage IV colorectal cancer has spread to distant organs. Most frequently, colorectal cancer spreads to the liver, but signs of cancer may appear in lungs, lymph nodes, and in the lining of the abdominal cavity. Surgery is helpful in stage IV cancers if there are only a few, small tumors in those organs.

Contact Anton Bilchik to learn more about treatments for different stages of colorectal cancers.