Colon Cancer and Chemotherapy

Eloxatin is the brand name for oxaliplatin, a chemotherapy drug that kills cancer cells. It's used to treat colorectal cancer and can be administered by itself or with other chemotherapy drugs.For more detailed information about Eloxatin, please visit the Eloxatin information page.
If you'd like basic information about each type of drug used in the treatment of colon and rectal cancer, please take a look at the Colorectal Cancer Drug Index.
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Leucovorin is a vitamin complex used to treat advanced colon cancer. By itself, leucovorin isn't able to fight cancer at all. Rather, it helps patients by increasing the effectiveness of another drug, fluorouracil. Leucovorin is sold under the brand name Wellcovorin.For more detailed information about leucovorin, please visit the leucovorin information page.
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Xeloda is the brand name for capecitabine, a chemotherapy drug that decreases the size of tumors. It comes in tablet form and is used to treat breast and colorectal cancer.For more detailed information about Xeloda, please visit the Xeloda information page.
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Laproscopic Surgery for Colon Cancer

Minimally Invasive (Laparoscopic) Surgery for Colon Cancer --> -->
Physicians at Mayo Clinic have been at the forefront of the study and use of minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery for colon cancer since the technique was introduced in 1991. Mayo Clinic surgeons have performed more than 1,000 minimally invasive surgeries to remove cancerous portions of the colon.
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Physicians at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota have reported extensively in the medical literature about the results of their research involving this technique. A study published in the May 14, 2004 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine reported that when performed by experienced surgeons, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery is a safe and effective alternative to standard open surgery for most patients with cancer that is confined to the colon.
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Surgeons use a tiny camera inserted through a half-inch-long hole in the skin to see harmful growths in the colon. The images from the camera are displayed on a monitor in the operating room. Other tools, inserted through other small holes in the skin, are used to remove diseased sections of the colon and to sew together the remaining tissue.
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Sometimes the diseased sections are removed (resected) and the healthy sections reconnected outside the body (as illustrated). Sometimes only one of these steps (resection and reconnection) is done outside the body.
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Advantages of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Colon Cancer
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Smaller incisions — two inches or less, compared with several inches for traditional surgery
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Shorter hospital stay — four to five days versus five to eight days
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Less post-operative pain
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Quicker overall recovery — one month versus six to eight weeks

http://www.mayoclinic.org/colon-cancer/minimallyinvasivesurgery.html

Surgery for Colon Cancer


Surgery for Colon Cancer
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The treatment that a patient and doctor choose to pursue will be based on the extent, or stage, of the cancer. For removing tumors due to colon cancer, resection surgery (sometimes called a partial or hemicolectomy) is the most common treatment.
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A resection is major surgery where the surgeon enters the abdomen through a large incision in the abdominal wall. The diseased section of the colon or rectum is removed along with lymph nodes and part of the healthy colon. Next, the two healthy ends are reattached. The surgeon's goal will be for the patient to return to the most normal bowel function possible.
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Some of the tissue removed from the lymph nodes is taken to a pathology lab and examined under a microscope. Lymph nodes conduct a fluid called "lymph" to cells in the body. Cancer cells tend to gather in the lymph nodes, so they are a good indicator for determining how far the cancer has spread. The removal of lymph nodes also reduces the risk of cancer reoccurring.
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In some cases where a significant amount of the colon or rectum is diseased, a reconnection (also called anastomosis) may not be possible. In these cases, a colostomy may be necessary.
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A colostomy is created when part of the large intestine is inserted through an opening in the abdominal wall. The part of the colon that is on the outside of the body is called a stoma (Greek for 'mouth'). The stoma is pink, like gum tissue, and does not feel pain. An external bag which is worn on the abdomen is then necessary to collect waste. The bag is emptied several times a day and changed on a regular basis.
Most colostomies are temporary and are only necessary to allow the colon to heal properly after surgery. During a second surgery the colon is reattached together and the stoma is removed. A permanent colostomy is only necessary about 15 percent of the time.
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Other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation may be used in conjunction with surgery. After surgery regular check ups will be necessary to ensure that the cancer has not reoccurred.
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Mayo Clinic: Colon Cancer


FAQ's: Top Colon Cancer Questions

Can Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cause Colon Cancer?People who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk for colon cancer because the tissue of the colon is inflamed for a long period of time.
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Do Ethnicity, Race, and Social Status Impact Colon Cancer Risk?Some groups of people more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer than others. The reasons are varied, but ethnicity, race, and social status all play a part.
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Does Exercise Help Prevent Colon Cancer?There's no denying that exercise is good for you. The couch potato in me would like to see a study every once in a while declaring otherwise, but that just doesn't happen. Exercise helps keep us healthy and yes, it helps prevent colon cancer.
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Do Polyps Increase Colon Cancer Risk?The short answer is yes. Your risk of developing colon cancer increases when you have polyps and even if your parent, sibling, or child has polyps.
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Does a Family History of Colon Cancer Increase My Risk?Most colon cancer occurs in people with no family history of the disease. But, colon cancer can run in the family. Whether you're at increased risk depends on which family member was diagnosed and at what age.
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Does Alcohol Increase Colon Cancer Risk?Research has indicated that alcohol increases colon cancer risk. Research has also shown that it lowers it, or that it has no effect at all. So which is right? All of it may be. The key appears to be what kind of alcohol you're drinking.
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Does Breast Cancer Increase Colon Cancer Risk?That's a good question and one the medical community is still asking itself. Some studies indicate that breast cancer increases colon cancer risk and others say it doesn't.
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Does Environment Impact Colon Cancer Risk?Research has shown that environment can play a big part in colon cancer development. Where you live, who's around you, your occupation, and even when you work may all influence your risk of developing colon cancer.
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Does Gender Influence Colon Cancer RiskYou may have heard that men are more likely to get colon cancer than women. You may have heard it the other way around, too. Both statements can be true depending on the context.
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Does Obesity Increase Colon Cancer Risk?Nobody likes to have the word obese thrown at them. I prefer overweight. But, obesity is a medical term that indicates someone exceeds their recommended weight, one step beyond simply being overweight. And the answer to the question is yes, obesity does increase colon cancer risk.
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Does Ovarian Cancer Increase Colon Cancer Risk?Whether a woman with a history of ovarian cancer is at increased risk for colon cancer depends on why she (or her family member) developed ovarian cancer in the first place.
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Does Uterine Cancer Increase Colon Cancer Risk?Women with a personal (or family) history of uterine cancer may have a greater risk of developing colon cancer. If the uterine cancer was caused by a particular genetic mutation, women are considered at high risk for colon cancer.
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How Do Genes Influence Colon Cancer Risk?For most people, the impact of genes is minimal. About 75% of colon cancer occurs in people with no (or very little) family history of the disease. However, the other 25% of cases have a genetic component.
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How Does Smoking Increase Colon Cancer Risk?Tobacco smoke transports carcinogens to the colon and tobacco use increases the size of polyps.
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What's My Risk of Developing Colon Cancer?Most people have about a six percent chance of developing colon cancer at some point in their lives. Some things, like a personal or family history of cancer, may increase your risk. Other things, like following colon cancer screening guidelines, decrease your risk.
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What Are Some Signs of Colon Cancer?When signs of colon cancer appear, it's often an indication that the disease is in later stages. If you are experiencing any of these signs of colon cancer, please seek medical care.
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What Effect Does Diabetes Have on Colon Cancer?People with diabetes have a greater chance of developing colon cancer. They also tend to have lower survival rates and higher recurrence rates.
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What Is a Risk Factor?A risk factor is something that is likely to increase the chances that a particular event will occur. Sometimes, this risk comes from something you do. Other times, there's nothing you can do about the risk. It just exists.
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What Is the Colon?The colon is about six feet long and is the part of the body's digestive system that moves waste material from the small intestine to the rectum.
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What Is the Rectum?The rectum is about eight inches long and serves, basically, as a warehouse for poop. It receives waste material from the colon and stores it until you defecate.
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Why Is Chemotherapy Given in Schedules?Chemotherapy is given in schedules to maximize the damage to cancer cells while minimizing the damage to the healthy tissues in your body

Soy and Colon Cancer

School of Soy: Colon Cancer Prevention

It is no secret that cancer is one of the leading killers in America; in fact, next to cardiovascular disease, cancer is a dreaded second accounting for approximately twenty-three percent of all deaths in the United States. One cancer which is prominent in both men and women is cancer of the colon. Colon cancer is the third most frequent type of cancer in the United States. One interesting fact regarding colon cancer is the relationship between lifestyle and diet, both of which play a major role in the prevention of this cancer. In an article written by W.C. Willett, "Diet, Nutrition, and Avoidable Cancer," it was noted that an estimated seventy percent of all colon cancer in the United States could have been avoided by dietary changes. Currently, studies are being conducted on the relationship between soy intake and lab animals. Studies show that the intake of soy protein and different soy flours significantly reduces the chemically induced colon cancers in these animals. It is believed the cancerous tumors in the colon are reduced in growth and formation due to the phytochemical found in soy known as glucosylceramide. In fact, there are a variety of compounds found in soy foods that may reduce cancer risks. Some studies show that the isoflavones, the estrogen-like compounds, found in soy foods may hold the key. This link may prove that there is a relationship between hormone levels and colon cancer. Another such finding provides evidence that fiber in the diet may reduce a person's risk of developing colon cancer.Soy products are known for their high amounts of fiber. In fact, soybeans pack more fiber than any other legume and many other plants. Fiber keeps the digestive system working well, cleaning out and regulating the intestinal track. Studies have shown that people who eat a high fiber diet are more likely to avoid colon cancer as well as other cancers and even heart disease.Although many studies are still in the works, preliminary lab studies are positive regarding the link between colon cancer and soy intake. Currently, research is being conducted on the isoflavones found in soy as it relates to colon cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer, all of which are associated with hormone related conditions. But when comparing Eastern and Western eating habits, soy seems to be the link that has proven to be the diet choice for health benefits. The Journal of Nutrition and the United States Food and Drug Administration both suggest that Americans do need to eat more soy products for the long-term health benefits, as well as their non-fattening and cholesterol free soy proteins.In addition, The American Heart Association recognizes the many benefits of eating soy to maintain low cholesterol levels among men and women in the States.
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http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/school-of-soy-colon-cancer-prevention-563447.html

Folc Acid and Colon Cancer

New Evidence On Folic Acid In Diet And Colon Cancer
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Foods containing high levels of folate, such an assortment of fruits and vegetables, are an important part of a healthy diet. Researchers report new details on the link between low folate intake and an increased risk for colon cancer. (Credit: USDA Agricultural Research Service)
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ScienceDaily (Sep. 5, 2008) — Researchers in the United Kingdom and Texas are reporting a new, more detailed explanation for the link between low folate intake and an increased risk for colon cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
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Their study reinforces the importance of folate in a healthy diet.
Susan Duthie and colleagues note that researchers have known for years that a deficiency of folate, one of the B vitamins commonly called folic acid, increases the risk of birth defects. As a result, manufacturers enrich some foods with folate.
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Scientists also have found that low folate in the diet increases the risk of developing colon cancer in adults. However, scientists lack an adequate explanation of how folate depletion affects the genes, proteins, and cells involved in cancer.
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In this new research, scientists grew human colon cells in folate-depleted and folate-enriched tissue culture. They found that folate depletion caused increased DNA damage and a cascade of other biological changes linked to an increased cancer risk.
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http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/561538
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