Advanced colon cancer used to be considered incurable. Many people believed that if colon cancer had spread from the colon to the liver, for example, it was a death sentence. Fortunately, this is not always the case.
A review of the options for treating colon cancer that has spread to the liver concludes that 25-35% of people in this category can be treated with a curative approach. This means the colon cancer is treated with the expectation of a cure, not just to slow its advance.
Among the conclusions of the review are that other treatments, including chemotherapy and certain types of radiation therapy should be used, when appropriate, along with surgery to increase the number of people who can be treated with the goal of a cure.
Combining Treatments Most Effectively
For example, if a person has colon cancer in the liver and the tumors appear too large to safely remove with surgery, chemotherapy can be used to shrink the tumors first. After chemotherapy, the shrunken tumors then are removed with surgery. Certain types concentrated radiation therapies can be used in a similar way to shrink tumors, which can make surgery safer and more effective.
Another option is that tumors are removed from the liver surgically first. This is followed by another form of treatment, such as chemotherapy, to increase the chances of killing all of the cancer cells.
Talk to Your Cancer Care Team
The way to figure out your best treatment options is to talk to your colon cancer doctor. Every single cancer is unique, as are the people who have cancer. Some people will be perfect candidates for combined approaches to treating colon cancer that has spread beyond the colon. Other people may not have the same options, because of their particular health situation.
Sitting down for a talk about treatment options with your doctor is so important. Many people fear this type of thorough discussion, but you shouldn't. Knowing your options will give you what you need to make the best treatment decisions for you and your family.
Thank goodness for hopeful articles like this one. I have found dealing with pessimistic oncologists very hard. I feel even a glimmer of hope can mean so much to the terrified cancer patient. Afterall if they won’t even consider aiming to cure you it rather akes you wonder why you are going thru all the treatment. I thank God for optimism and hope and highly recommend David Hamilton’s How the Mind can heal the Body’ to further bolster your power to survive this illness and live a good life. Love to everyone
Deborah (stage 4 since 2008)
Hi Deborah, Thank you so much for sharing your message of hope and your story of living with stage 4 cancer. Cancer is a terrible disease. I believe that even if a person cannot be technically “cured,” remaining positive can improve the chances of living longer and living well, despite the disease.
I think it’s important to be realistic about the chances of a cure, but there is a difference between realism and pessimism. The former means moving forward with hope and doing the best you can. The later means giving up for many people, and nobody should be told to “give up.”
Colon Cancer Guide Suzanne
I am a survivor (4 years) of colon cancer that had spread to the liver. I was treated firstly with colon surgery, then chemotherapy, then a liver resection (around 50% of the liver was removed) this was followed by more chemotherapy then radiotherapy and another 6 months of chemotherapy. The whole process was about 18 months and finished nearly three years ago and I am still completely clear. It was trying at times but apart from post surgical recovery I was able to continue working throughout the chemo and radiotherapy. I now lead a completely normal healthy and very active life.
Never give up hope. much can be done.
Hi John, Your message is so important for people to hear. Cancer treatment can be very tough, but you have shown that it’s important not to give up hope. You’re an inspiration.
Colon Cancer Guide Suzanne
Our son is 20 years old with colon cancer that has gone to the liver. I,m printing this and taking it with us for his CT scan Friday. He is halfway through his first 12 chemo treatments. If there is breath, there is hope! Never say never! Thank you for this article.
Hi Sherie, I’m so sorry to hear about your son’s colon cancer diagnosis. Cancer is a terrible disease and when it affects someone so young, it seems even more unfair and senseless.
Your son is so fortunate to have you there for love and support. And I think that having a person who can search for relevant colon cancer information and bring it to the attention of the cancer care team is so important. You’re doing this for him.
When a person is diagnosed with cancer, it’s so overwhelming. Knowing that a family member or friend is out there doing the leg work to make sure the cancer care is the best it can be is a big relief for most people.
Colon Cancer Guide Suzanne