Colorectal Cancer ( Colon Cancer ) Treatment Cost in Malaysia

Colon Cancer is the abnormal growth of the cells in the inner lining of the colon part of the large intestine also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer. This abnormal growth is called a polyp.

Colorectal cancer can affect men and women equally. However, studies have proven that men might develop it at a younger age.

What causes colon cancer

There is no definite cause of colorectal cancer, but old age and certain lifestyle factors can increase colorectal cancer risk. Some of these colorectal cancer risk factors include the following:

Types of Colorectal Cancer

A majority of colorectal cancers are adenocarcinoma. If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, there are 95 percent chance that it is an adenocarcinoma. But there are some other types of colorectal cancer such as:

1. Carcinoid: A rare type of Tumor and can grow slower than adenocarcinoma.
2. Gastrointestinal stromal: GISTs are rare tumors that can occur in the digestive tract.
3. Lymphomas: They can be developed in the colon, but they are relatively uncommon. They originate in the lymphatic system and may affect the colon.
4. Sarcomas: are rare and can develop in the connective Tissues of the colon, such as blood vessels.

The doctor selects the most appropriate course of treatment for the patient after assessing the stage. Every patient has a customized treatment plan that is designed to best address their unique needs. The following options could be part of the treatment strategy.

Different types of surgery options can be used as per the identified stage of colorectal cancer. Surgery can be divided into two major segments: Early-stage colorectal cancer surgery and advanced-stage colorectal cancer surgery.

Early-stage colorectal cancer surgery: This is a minimally invasive form of surgery, which is typically recommended when the cancer is small and has not spread to other parts of the body. Early stage colorectal cancer surgery includes the following procedures:

• Removing polyps during colonoscopy: If the cancer is small and in its early stage, your doctor may be able to remove it completely during a colonoscopy.
• Endoscopic mucosal resection: In this procedure, a larger polyp can be removed by taking out a small amount of the lining of the colon.
• Minimally invasive surgery: It is also called laparoscopic surgery. In this procedure, your surgeon operates the polyps by making several small incisions in your abdominal wall. Instruments with attached cameras are inserted that display your colon on a video monitor.

Advance-stage colorectal cancer surgery

This is a more invasive surgical option, recommended when cancer has grown into or through your colon. It can be of the following types:

• Partial colectomy: During this procedure, the surgeon removes the part of the colon that contains cancer. Normal tissue may also be removed along with a margin cancer. The healthy portions of the colon or rectum are reconnected after the removal of cancer.
• Surgery to create a way for waste to leave your body: You may need a permanent or temporary colostomy when it is not possible to reconnect the healthy portions of your colon or rectum.
• Lymph node removal: Usually, nearby lymph nodes are also removed during colon cancer surgery to remove cancer or to prevent cancer recurrence.

Chemotherapy

In chemotherapy treatment, an anti-cancer drug is used to destroy the cancerous cells. It is commonly used before surgery, in an attempt to shrink a tumor before its surgical removal. It can also be given to relieve symptoms of colon cancer, in case it has spread to other parts of the body.

A certain number of chemotherapy cycles are also repeated after the surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells. This helps minimize the chances of cancer recurrence.

Radiation therapy

In this treatment, radiation beams such as X-ray or proton beams are used to kill cancer cells. It also prevents cancer cells from multiplying any further. This treatment is more commonly used for rectal cancer treatment before surgery to shrink the tumor. It can also be used after the surgery. Radiation therapy is the best treatment if cancer has penetrated through the wall of the rectum or traveled to nearby lymph nodes. 

Targeted drug therapy

Targeted drug therapy is typically used for people with advanced colon cancer. It can be given alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Specific drugs help cancer cells commit suicide and strengthen the immune system. However, this treatment comes with limited benefits and risk of side effects.

Patients undergoing the surgery are required to stay in the hospital for at least two to three days after the surgery. You may expect yourself to be discharged from the hospital after regaining bowel function and the ability to eat without the support of an IV. Pain is controlled with the help of medications and it may take another two to three weeks at home before you can switch back to your normal routine.

If the Patient had surgery for the removal of bowel cancer, it may take a few weeks before you can return to work. In the case of laparoscopic surgery, you can return to work in about two weeks. In the case of open surgery, it may take around four to six weeks for you to return to work.

Patients must pay particular attention to eating the right food and avoid dehydration after bowel cancer surgery. Include high-protein foods in your diet and choose low-fiber foods if you have diarrhea. Additionally, eat limited amounts of green vegetables and only eat peeled fruits.

Patients who undergo chemotherapy before or after the surgery may experience a few side effects such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and pint pain. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to minimize the side effects and recover quickly. Take emergency medications prescribed by the doctor, if needed.