Colon Cancer and Rectal Cancer Treatment in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Colorectal cancer describes an illness involving abnormal cell mutations in the rectum and the colon, the large intestine or the large bowel (colon), and the passageway connecting the colon and the anus (rectum). In some cases, polyps or abnormal growths develop on these organs, and the growths might turn cancerous.

Treating Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer treatment will depend on the location, size, and stage of the malignancy. Because there are several types of colorectal cancers, colorectal cancer doctors or surgical oncologists may also utilize several local treatment methods.

Usually, smaller malignancies can be removed with the help of surgery alone, while later-stage diseases might require the assistance of systemic treatments as well, such as targeted therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.

Patients looking for colorectal cancer treatment in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, can opt for high-quality and compassionate care at our practice.

Colon Cancer

After receiving a colon cancer diagnosis, patients might often have questions regarding their treatment options. Determining which treatment would help speed up the recovery process the most will mostly depend on the particular situation, including the cancer’s stage, location, size, and other health concerns.

Still, colon cancer treatment will most likely involve colon cancer surgery and might alos require additional systemic treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Colon Cancer Surgery for Early-stage Cases

If the tumor is small in localized, the colon cancer specialist may recommend minimally invasive surgery, such as:

  • Polypectomy: Completely localized, small, and contained tumors within a poly can be easily removed during a colonoscopy.
  • Laparoscopic surgery: Those polyps that can’t be removed during a colonoscopy may be eliminated by making several tiny incisions in the abdomen with robotic-assisted surgery.
  • Endoscopic mucosal resection: This entails the removal of larger polyps using special tools to remove larger polyps with a specific amount of the colon’s inner lining.

Colon Cancer Treatment for Later-Stage Cases

If the cancer has spread through the colon, the colon cancer doctor may recommend:

  • Partial colectomy: The surgeon will remove the part of the colon that’s affected by tumors and will often reconnect the rectum’s and the colon’s healthy parts.
  • Lymph node removal: Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed and tested for cancerous cells.
  • Surgery to create a route for the waste that leaves the body: When reconnecting the healthy portions of the rectum and the colon isn’t possible, surgeons may perform an ostomy or create an opening in the abdominal wall from the remaining bowel to eliminate the stool. This can sometimes be temporary, but in others, it may be permanent.

If the cancer is overly advanced and the patient’s overall health is poor, the specialists may opt for palliative surgery. To improve the symptoms. This won’t cure the malignancy but can help with issues such as blockage, pain, or bleeding.

In other cases, the oncologist may recommend other systemic treatments, like chemotherapy after performing the surgery, to eliminate the remaining cancer cells in the nearby organs.

Those patients who are looking for exceptional colon cancer treatment options in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, may find our compassionate and expert approach the most agreeable.

Rectal Cancer

Rectal cancer treatment will mostly depend on the extent or the stage of cancer, but this isn’t the only factor that may play a role. For the most part, localized and contained cancers can be treated with rectal cancer surgery. In other cases, additional systemic treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy may also be necessary.

Stage 0 Rectal Cancer Treatment

These malignancies still haven’t grown beyond the rectum’s inner lining, and removing the tumor is mostly all that’s required. A polypectomy, transanal resection, or local excision are all that the patient may need to undergo.

Rectal Cancer Surgery in Stage 1

These tumors have grown deeper into the rectal wall but are still contained in the rectum. If a cancerous polyp was causing the problem, but it had no cancer in its edges, a polypectomy may be sufficient. If mutated cells have moved beyond the edges, more surgery may be recommended.

In most cases, additional treatment may not be needed.

Treating Stage II Rectal Cancer

These have managed to grow through the rectum’s wall and might affect nearby tissues but haven’t spread to the lymphatic system. In these cases, rectal cancer treatment will be a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Treatment for Stage III Rectal Cancer

These malignant cells have spread to the closest lymph nodes but still haven’t reached other parts of the body yet. In this case, patients will also be treated with chemo, radiation therapy, and surgery, but the order and the combination of the treatments can differ.

Stage IV Rectal Cancer Treatment

These tumors have spread to distant organs, and treatment methods will depend on how far the malignancy has spread. There are several treatment options and combinations, and sometimes, their primary purpose is to relieve symptoms.

An Early Diagnosis is Crucial

To improve the efficiency of rectal cancer treatment, those who experience any persistent symptoms should visit a certified expert to help rule out anything severe. In the Fort Lauderdale, FL, area, our practice is among the most reputable for helping patients with the most modern treatment approaches and exquisite, compassionate care.

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Have a question about our practice or want to schedule an appointment? Reach out and speak with a member of our team.