Gastrointestinal cancer occurs when malignant cancer cells begin to grow and spread within the intestinal tract. The intestinal tract is composed of the small intestine, large intestine, colon, and rectum. The treatment for gastrointestinal cancer depends on the stage of cancer at diagnosis as well as the overall health of the individual. Some common treatment modalities are available for gastrointestinal cancer that patients should be aware of.
Surgery
If a patient's cancer is small, localized in a polyp and in an early stage, a doctor might be able to remove it during a colonoscopy or a laprascopic surgical procedure. With a more invasive type of cancer, a more radical surgery might be warranted. During a surgical resection, the surgeon might remove the cancerous tumor and surrounding area, and the adjacent lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are then sent to a pathologist to determine whether the cancer has spread beyond the localized area. In severe cases, a colostomy or bypass of part of the gastrointestinal tract might be necessary.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of potent drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used to destroy cancer cells after surgery, to control tumor growth or to relieve symptoms of colon cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. Chemotherapy can be given intravenously through an IV line or in the form of a pill. In some cases, chemotherapy might be injected locally into the affected area, also known as regional chemotherapy. The type of chemotherapy, dosage and regimen is prescribed on an individual basis.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high beam X-ray waves to kill cancer cells and keep them from spreading. It might be used in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation might be given from a machine placed outside of the body, or through the surgical implantation of radioactive wires, rods or seeds in the affected area. According to the National Cancer Institute, the way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
