Introduction
Colon cancer is quite curable. Compared to other types of cancer, the chances of survival of a therapy are very good. If colorectal cancer is detected and treated early, they are around 90%. By screening for colorectal cancer, the cancer can be detected before it causes symptoms. In addition, preliminary stages of colorectal cancer can be detected and removed.
On which factors does it depend if colorectal cancer is curable?
The most important factor is operability, i.e. whether the tumour can be completely removed during surgery without damaging other vital structures. However, in contrast to other types of tumours, colon tumours are usually quite easily accessible by surgery. Without surgical removal of the tumour, a cure is not possible.
Furthermore, curability depends on whether the tumour has already spread to other organs. If such tumour tissue is located in other organs, this is called metastasis. Metastases massively reduce the curability and chance of survival.
Individual metastases can still be removed. However, the survival rate is still only 5-10%. If at least 2 organs are already affected by metastases, colon cancer is unfortunately no longer curable.
Only a palliative therapy, i.e. a therapy that accompanies death, will be carried out. Since the chances of recovery from colon cancer in the early stages are very good, early detection and early start of therapy are important. In colon cancer screening, preliminary stages of colon cancer can already be detected and removed.
Which therapeutic measures have a positive influence on curability?
The therapeutic measures depend on the stage of the tumour. In the case of tumours that are still quite small and have not spread to regional lymph nodes, surgical removal of the tumour is sufficient for a cure. If lymph nodes have been infiltrated by the cancer, additional radio- and/or chemotherapy is carried out before or after the operation.
In radiotherapy, the tumor tissue is irradiated with ionizing radiation and thus destroyed. In chemotherapy, drugs are administered which attack and kill fast-dividing cells, i.e. tumour cells. However, surgical removal of the tumour is necessary in any case.
Unfortunately, there are no further therapeutic measures to positively influence the healing process. However, since the therapy requires a great deal of physical and psychological strength, it is important to pay attention to the patient’s state of health. Relatives and friends can also support the patient so that he can concentrate his energy on the therapy.
In alternative medicine there are also various remedies which are supposed to help against cancer, such as mistletoe. However, the scientific basis for this is missing. At the personal request of the patient and after consultation with the doctor, mistletoe therapy can also be applied. Under no circumstances, however, should one rely solely on mistletoe therapy.
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