Surgery
Many people with colon cancer have surgery to remove the cancer. The type of surgery depends on the type of colon cancer, its location, and its stage.
MSK's Guide To
Colon Cancer Treatment
Overview
We know you want excellent treatment results. But not everyone’s goals or priorities are the same. We listen to what matters most to you. Our experts work with you on a care plan that’s best for you.
There are many options for colon cancer treatment. You may feel overwhelmed as you explore them.
This guide will help you better understand your options and get ready to talk with your doctors. You’ll have the information you need to make the best decisions for your care together.
Your care team includes doctors, nurses, and other experts in cancer that starts in the colon. MSK’s colon cancer experts will make a treatment plan just for you.
Your personal colon cancer treatment plan will target the type and stage of colon cancer you have. It will be based on the latest research and therapies. During your treatment, you may have a few therapies for the best possible results.
How is colon cancer treated?
Your MSK care team will talk with you about the best therapies for you. You may have one treatment, or a few treatments together.
Treatment for colon cancer can include:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapies
- Immunotherapy
Systemic therapies
Chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy are called systemic therapies. Treatments are given by pill or liquid, intravenous (IV) infusion, or injection (shot). They spread throughout the body to treat cancer.
How does MSK care for people with colon cancer?
We care for every person with colon cancer with kindness, warmth, and respect.
Your care team includes doctors, nurses, and other experts who focus on colon cancer. Together they use the latest science and research to create your care plan. It will focus on what matters most to you, and the treatment that’s best for your type of colon cancer.
To better understand what’s causing the tumor to grow, we may do genetic testing. This genetic information could help us offer a targeted treatment for the type of colon cancer you have.
At MSK, we take care of the person, not just the cancer. We offer support and resources to help you during and after colon cancer treatment.
Your care plan may include nutrition advice, physical therapy, exercise, and mental health support. Our rehabilitation experts help you manage the side effects of colon cancer and its treatment.
Clinical trials nurse Julia Hong helps people who get cancer treatment through an MSK clinical trial.
You’ll get the best possible cancer care at MSK. Your care team has experts in treating the type of colon cancer you have. We offer:
- The latest colon cancer treatments. We often use minimally invasive surgery methods, which use smaller incisions than traditional surgeries. We’re also leaders in treating colon cancer without surgery when possible.
- Early access to new drug treatments through our research studies, known as clinical trials.
- New systemic therapies, including drugs researched at MSK. These drugs target certain tumor types.
- Rehabilitation (rehab) experts, who help your body heal and stay healthy after your treatment is done.
- Integrative medicine (also called complementary, holistic, or natural medicine) to care for side effects of treatment, such as nerve pain. Our integrative medicine experts also can help with general wellness during and after treatment. They can offer advice about herbs and supplements.
THE MSK DIFFERENCE
Many people with cancer prefer to get treatment closer to home. MSK provides excellent colon cancer care on Long Island and in locations in Westchester County, New Jersey, and New York City. You can meet with your surgeon and have chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and genetic testing.
Request an appointment
MSK’s colon cancer experts will work with you to choose a treatment that’s best for you.
Types of colon cancer treatment
At MSK, all members of your care team will review your case. They’ll talk with you about which treatments are best for you.
Your care team may offer you a few treatment options. They’re based on your symptoms, any other health issues, and the colon cancer’s:
- Type
- Stage
- Location
- Genetic information
We have treatments for early-stage colon cancers. These are stage 1 colon cancer treatments or stage 2 colon cancer treatments.
We offer treatments for later-stage or advanced colon cancers. These are stage 3 colon cancer treatments or stage 4 colon cancer treatments. Stage 4 colon cancer is also called metastatic cancer.
Stage 1, 2, 3, and 4 colon cancer treatments
When colon cancer is found early, it’s often just an abnormal (not normal) growth on the inside lining of the colon. This is called a polyp. The early-stage colon cancer may just be in the polyp.
Removing a polyp during a colonoscopy may be enough to cure the cancer. If the colon cancer cannot be removed during a colonoscopy, most often you’ll need surgery.
Colon cancer may have spread through the colon or to other sites in your body. Later-stage, advanced, or metastatic colon cancer is either stage 3 or stage 4 (metastatic) cancer. This advanced colon cancer may need a few treatments together.
Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, and other therapies, based on the tumor type and the cancer’s location.
Colorectal surgeon Dr. Philip Paty treats people with colon cancer at MSK in New York City.
Types of colon cancer surgery
Surgery is the most common treatment for colon cancer.
If you or someone you care about has colon cancer, we want to help you understand options for surgery. This information can help you get ready for the decisions you and your doctors will make together.
Your surgeon will explain what kind of surgery may be best for you, based on the:
- Type of colon cancer.
- Stage.
- Location of the cancer.
- Genetic information about the tumor.
- Type of surgery you prefer.
- Other health issues you have.
Surgeons may be able to use minimally invasive methods that do less harm to the body and improve recovery. Surgery may sometimes be used along with other therapies.
Learn more about the types of colon cancer surgery.
THE MSK DIFFERENCE
MSK leads the nation in doing the most colorectal robotic surgeries. Our surgical skills with this technology come from many years of experience. MSK surgeons do more than 700 robot-assisted colorectal surgeries each year. Almost half of our surgeries for colorectal cancer are done robotically.
Colon cancer nomograms: Tools for predicting colon cancer survival and cancer coming back
MSK offers an online clinical prediction tool called a nomogram. This tool can help predict the result of cancer treatment at MSK. Nomograms can help you and your doctor make decisions about treatment and your follow-up care.
These nomograms are hard to use and understand without help from your doctor. You need information from your treatment, including your diagnosis and treatment details.
If you’re a patient or caregiver, we strongly recommend you use the nomogram together with your doctor.
MSK treats many people with colon cancer, so we have a lot of data (facts) about treatment results. The predictions from MSK’s nomograms are based on this information.
We have 2 nomograms for colon cancer:
- A nomogram that predicts the chance of recurrence 3 and 5 years after your cancer surgery. Your risk of recurrence helps tell us if you need more treatment after cancer surgery. Recurrence is when cancer comes back after a period of time when you had no signs of cancer.
- A nomogram that predicts the chance you’ll survive colon cancer at least 5 years after your cancer surgery. A 5-year survival rate is a statistic that describes the percent of people who are alive 5 years after treatment.
Who can use our nomograms for colon cancer
MSK’s colon cancer clinical prediction tools are for people who had:
- Colon cancer that did not spread.
- A complete resection (surgery to remove all tissue with cancer).
Learn more about who can use our nomograms for colon cancer.
Colon cancer chemotherapy and other systemic therapies
Systemic therapies are drugs that travel through the body to kill cancer cells.
You may have neoadjuvant (NEE-oh-A-joo-vant) therapy, which is treatment you get before colon cancer surgery. Neoadjuvant therapy shrinks tumors so they’re easier to remove during surgery. This type of therapy also can help with treatments after surgery.
You may have adjuvant (A-joo-vant) therapy, which is treatment you get after colon cancer surgery. It’s used to kill any cancer cells that may be left in your colon or the rest of your body.
Adjuvant therapy can lower the risk of colon cancer coming back or spreading.
Here are systemic therapies for colon cancer:
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Chemotherapy
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Chemotherapy (chemo) is a treatment that uses medicine to stop or slow cancer cells from growing. Chemo puts medicines that target cancer cells into your vein. Most chemo medicines for colon cancer can go through a standard intravenous (IV) drip. The medicine travels in your bloodstream to kill cancer cells in the body.
There are many kinds of chemo medicines for colon cancer. Your care team will talk with you about the best options.
- Targeted therapies
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Targeted therapies are cancer treatments that target a tumor’s gene changes (mutations or variants). It’s a personal treatment plan just for the type of cancer you have. These medicines often are given by mouth in pill form, or through an IV into your vein.
- Immunotherapy
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Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that boosts your immune system’s natural ability to fight cancer. Your immune system will then attack cancer cells, much the same way it attacks bacteria or viruses.
Most other cancer treatments use drugs or radiation to target cancer cells directly.
This medicine most often is given through an IV into your vein.
Our care goes beyond your treatment
At MSK, we support you every step of the way.
MSK Recommends
Bring these questions to your next appointment
When you learn you have colon cancer, you’ll probably have many questions for your cancer doctor at your first visit. Talking about treatment options with your doctors can help you feel confident when making decisions about your care.
- What type of colon cancer do I have, and what stage is it?
- What genetic testing do you offer for colon cancer?
- What are the best treatment options for my type and stage of colon cancer?
- When can I start treatment?
- Can I get colon cancer treatment at MSK close to my home?
- What are the side effects of colon cancer treatment?
- Do I need surgery?
- Are there any new colon cancer drugs I can try?
- Do you have a clinical trial that’s right for me?
- How can I get help to deal with any side effects of colon cancer treatment?
Colon cancer clinical trials
Your care team may talk with you about joining a colon cancer clinical trial.
Anyone can enroll in a clinical trial from the very start of treatment, if there’s one that’s right for you.
Researchers follow strict rules to make sure all clinical trials are safe. The MSK research team will answer your questions and help you get ready for the trial. We follow your progress and keep you safe every step of the way.
MSK strongly encourages people from all races, genders, ages, and backgrounds to join clinical trials. It’s very important for research studies to include people from many backgrounds. It’s how our researchers can learn if a new treatment works for everyone, not just one group of people.
What is a clinical trial?
Clinical trials are research studies to test new treatments, procedures, or devices to see how well they work. Every cancer treatment given to a person was first tested in a clinical trial.
Clinical trials can help us learn about a new colon cancer drug, such as:
- What are the ways it helps people?
- What side effects does it cause?
- What dose of the drug is safe to give?
- How well does it treat different types of colon cancer?
THE MSK DIFFERENCE
MSK runs one of the country’s largest cancer clinical trials programs. We have around 20 open clinical trials for colon cancer. At each MSK site, our researchers may screen and match you to a clinical trial best for your treatment. You may have access to new treatments not yet available at most hospitals.
What are the benefits of joining a clinical trial?
If you join a clinical trial, you may be able to try new drugs to treat your type of colon cancer. Our patients may get a new treatment at MSK years before it’s offered at most other places.
Here are some ways joining a clinical trial can help you get the best treatment:
Chance to try new treatments
sometimes years before they’re available to everyone.
Personal care and support
from your expert care team.
No extra cost to you
for treatments you get during a clinical trial.
Innovations at MSK
Our experts are always finding new ways to treat colon cancer and manage side effects. Explore the latest colon cancer news from MSK.
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The MSK colon cancer team
At MSK, your care is always a team effort. Our care teams combine the skill and experience of many kinds of colon cancer experts. They work together to give you the best cancer treatment.
Gastrointestinal medical oncologist Dr. Avni Desai treats people with colon cancer at MSK Commack on Long Island.
THE MSK DIFFERENCE
MSK has Magnet® designation for our nurses’ excellent patient care, strong leadership, and a culture that values constant improvement. Only about 1 out of every 10 hospitals in the country have Magnet status. It’s one of the highest honors a hospital can earn for nursing excellence.
What types of MSK experts care for and treat people with colon cancer?
Your care team has special training in how to diagnose and treat colon cancer. Their goal is to support you during and after treatment for colon cancer.
We take care of the person, not just the cancer. Our social workers are here to help you and your family with the emotional, social, and physical effects of cancer.
Your care team has doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers who are experts in colon cancer. They include:
- Surgeons
- Medical oncologists (cancer doctors)
- Radiation oncologists (doctors who uses radiation to treat cancer)
- Radiologists (doctors who are experts in imaging)
Your team meets with a panel of experts who review and talk about your diagnosis. They discuss new ideas and the latest research. This expert panel then works together to choose your treatment plan.
Your MSK colon cancer care team may include these experts:
- Colorectal surgeon
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A colorectal surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the colon and rectum.
- Gastrointestinal medical oncologist
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A gastrointestinal (GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul) medical oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. This includes colon and rectal cancers.
- Gastroenterologist
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A gastroenterologist (GAS-troh-EN-teh-RAH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in the gastrointestinal (GI) system. This includes screening, preventing, and treating cancers in the rectum and colon.
- Radiation oncologist
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A radiation oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in using radiation therapy (RT) to treat cancer.
- Radiologist
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A radiologist is a doctor with special training in using imaging to diagnose and treat disease, such as colon cancer. Imaging includes X-rays, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Advanced practice provider
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An advanced practice provider is a healthcare provider with special training who works alone or with your doctor to care for you. Examples are nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs).
- Pathologist
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A pathologist is a doctor who uses a microscope to make a diagnosis from cell and tissue samples. They analyze the samples to learn more about a health issue, such as cancer.
- Social worker
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A social worker is a healthcare provider with special training in helping people cope with problems in their lives. They support you emotionally, socially, and physically by providing counseling and practical assistance.
I’m so grateful. Anyone facing colorectal cancer should consider being treated at MSK. The doctors are highly skilled, and they really care about helping you live your best life.
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Our Care Advisors will match you with the right colon cancer experts for you.
Colon cancer support services and programs
Your care team is here to support you during and after treatment at MSK.
How does MSK support people with colon cancer?
Cancer treatment affects your body and emotions. The experience is not the same for everyone. We will support you during your treatment.
But you’re also a person with a life beyond cancer. We want to help you get back to it. That’s why we have many programs and services to support you and your loved ones.
You can connect with other people going through cancer treatment in our virtual support groups, led by a social worker.
Or you may need help with side effects of treatment. We have experts with special training in treating pain.
Your caregivers are a very important part of your care team. They need support, too. We have a Caregivers Clinic to help your loved ones cope with cancer.
Ways we support you
Our Integrative Medicine and Wellness Service offers complementary, natural, and holistic treatments. They include acupuncture, meditation, massage therapy, yoga, and exercise.
You may want support to cope with side effects of colon cancer treatment. These may include pain, fatigue (feeling very tired), nerve problems, nausea, insomnia, and stress.
Without using prescription drugs, integrative therapies can help improve and control side effects of cancer treatment.
Integrative medicine and wellness services are available in New York City, New Jersey, Westchester, and on Long Island. We also offer virtual classes and workshops.
Pain management is an important part of cancer care. MSK was the first cancer center in the country to have a service just for treating pain in people with cancer.
Our pain experts will help relieve or manage pain after surgery. They can help while you’re still in the hospital, and after you’re home.
We have experts who manage the symptoms and side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea during chemotherapy.
We offer counseling and support to help you manage anxiety, depression, anger, or loneliness. There are individual and group counseling sessions, both in person and through telemedicine visits. Counseling is open to you and your family, separately or together.
We also run support groups and programs if you want to talk with other people going through a similar experience. Our social workers can offer information about how to talk about your diagnosis with family members, work colleagues, and friends.
Cancer treatment can affect your digestion (how your body breaks down the food you eat). It can change your taste, how you eat, and how hungry you are.
Our clinical dietitian nutritionists can help with:
- Planning healthy meals at home.
- Advice about special diets.
- Dealing with food allergies.
- Managing symptoms such as weight loss or gain, and loss of appetite (not feeling hungry).
- Eating healthy to help with recovery.
Cancer affects your sex life in both physical and emotional ways. It’s normal to think about how cancer treatment may affect your sex life.
Our sexual health programs can help. They have experts in the physical symptoms and emotional challenges that may affect your sex life. We can talk with you about physical changes that affect intimacy.
MSK has experts with special training in female sexual health and fertility. Perhaps you’re trying to have a child or think you may want to start a family someday. We can help you understand your options for having children.
THE MSK DIFFERENCE
MSK is a place where people of all genders and sexual orientations feel welcome and treated with respect. Our LGBTQI+ Cancer Care Program gives you the support you need during cancer care. It’s for LGBTQI+ people getting screened or treated at MSK, or in our survivorship program.
MSK’s colon cancer treatment locations
We believe colon cancer care should be as convenient as possible. We have treatment locations in New York City, Westchester, on Long Island, and in New Jersey.
At our locations, you can meet with your care team and get your colon cancer treatment. You may be able to have chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or join a clinical trial.
MSK brings its expert care closer to you so you can get back home to what matters most.
Expert cancer care where you need it
Many of MSK’s colon cancer treatments and services are available at locations across New York and New Jersey.
We’ll guide you about where you can go for check-ups, procedures, or treatments, based on your diagnosis and treatments.