As of: March 18, 2024, 2:10 p.m
By: Natalie Hull-Deichsel
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Even if secondary tumors have already formed in other organs, a cure is still possible.
Which therapies are useful and possible.
Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men and women.
In many cases, a malignant tumor develops from benign precancerous lesions (polyps) in the intestine.
It can take years for those affected to notice signs of cancer and correctly interpret symptoms.
The prospects for a cure for colon cancer are good if the disease is detected at an early stage.
Even people with a locally advanced tumor have a chance of being cured.
On the other hand, the prognosis worsens if secondary tumors (metastases) from the colon cancer form in distant organs.
However, a complete cure is not completely ruled out even in such advanced cases of the disease, according to the
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
.
Colon cancer: Three areas in the body in particular are affected by metastases
Peritoneal metastases, which in most cases arise from a primary tumor such as colon cancer, can manifest themselves in advanced stages as abdominal pain and constipation.
© YAY Images/Imago
Originally, a tumor is usually limited to the intestinal mucosa.
However, over time it can penetrate into deeper tissue layers of the intestine and spread to neighboring tissues and organs.
Metastases from colon cancer, also known as colorectal carcinoma, can form particularly in the following three areas of the body.
Appropriate therapeutic measures are recommended by specialists:
Liver:
Liver metastases are tumors in the liver that originate from another type of cancer outside the liver, such as colon cancer.
Their appearance often indicates advanced cancer.
There are various treatment options available that can be considered depending on the individual situation of those affected.
Surgery to surgically remove the liver metastases is considered if the doctor is able to completely remove the tumors.
A cure is likely in this case.
Comprehensive, systemic therapy with medication can be useful if, in addition to the liver metastases, other daughter tumors have also formed in the body.
Minimally invasive treatment is used when other therapies such as surgery are not successful or are not possible - healing is then difficult in many cases.
Which of the methods is most suitable depends on the individual disease situation of those affected as well as the number, size and location of the metastases in the liver.
Experts recommend that treatment of liver metastases should take place at cancer centers with experienced doctors.
Lung:
Metastases in the lungs can also occur as tumor cells settle in the intestines.
These malignant tissue cells migrate from the so-called primary tumor via the blood or lymphatic system to the lungs.
The aim of the treatment is to completely remove the secondary tumors in the lungs.
If the metastases are on the surface of the lung, surgery can usually be carried out using minimally invasive keyhole surgery.
Radiation therapy is often chosen when there are only a few small metastases.
Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice as soon as several tumor foci appear in different locations.
Since this treatment affects all areas of the body, it can prevent the various tumors and metastases from growing further.
Abdominal space:
In advanced colon cancer, cancer cells can also spread into the abdominal cavity, which can lead to peritoneal metastases (so-called peritoneal carcinosis).
In most cases, a single therapy does not work; according to the
German Cancer Society (DKG),
peritoneal metastases should be treated as comprehensively as possible.
A multimodal therapeutic approach may be beneficial in treating some patients.
This means that different methods such as surgery and chemotherapy are combined to achieve holistic effectiveness.
Even in the case of peritoneal metastases, doctors recommend being treated in a specialized tumor center with particularly experienced doctors.
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This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.