Colorectal cancer treatment
There are several ways of treating colorectal cancer and your treatment will be planned individually for you. Don't be concerned if you talk to other people who are receiving similar, but different, treatments.
Treatment will usually be an operation to remove the cancer and/or to relieve your symptoms. You may also have chemotherapy or radiotherapy as well as an operation.
Surgery
An operation may be performed to remove the cancer and part of the bowel on either side of this. Depending on the extent of the operation the two ends of the bowel may be stitched together.
If the tumour is sited low in your rectum, there may not be enough bowel left to join together. In this case you may have to have a colostomy formed. A colostomy, or stoma, is an artificial opening created when the healthy part of your bowel is brought out onto the surface of your abdomen. Your stool will be passed through this opening instead of through your rectum as before. You will need to wear an appliance (bag) to collect your stools. This type of colostomy will be permanent.
In some situations you may need to have a temporary colostomy formed to rest your bowel while healing takes place. This is usually only for a few weeks and will be discussed with you by your doctor.
If it is possible to say before your operation that you will need to have a colostomy, a stoma care nurse will visit you. They will explain exactly what will happen and what to expect. The stoma care nurse will show you how to care for your colostomy and help you adapt to living with a stoma. They can provide support over a long period of time.
If you have any questions or there is anything you don't understand, please speak to your doctor or nurse.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy (drug treatment) may be recommended for you. Chemotherapy means treatment with anti-cancer drugs, which are given to destroy or control cancer cells by damaging them so that they can't divide and grow.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and is given using a machine similar to an X-ray machine but slightly larger. The treatment area will include the tumour and the surrounding lymph nodes (glands) if necessary. The treatment will planned specifically for you to make sure that the cancer cells are destroyed with the least amount of damage to normal tissues.
Side effects
Your bowel habits may change during radiotherapy, for example you stool may become loose or you may develop diarrhoea. If this happens, please tell your doctor, radiographer or nurse. You will be given advice on diet and medicine can be prescribed to help you. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids.
Your bladder may be included in the treatment field and, if so, you may experience some discomfort when passing urine. You may also want to pass urine more frequently. Once again, make sure you drink plenty of fluids and tell your doctor about this problem.