Colon Cancer Treatment in Utah

At Utah Cancer Specialists, we utilize a multi-disciplinary cancer care model to ensure experts from medical and radiation oncology, pathology, radiology and surgery work together to provide the best and most advanced cancer care. Our team coordinates with board-certified Colon & Rectal Surgeons that specialize in minimally invasive surgeries and sphincter preserving surgeries. Our oncologists are actively involved in clinical trials to present the most advanced cancer care available.

Colon cancer, or colorectal cancer, is cancer of the colon or rectum. Colon cancer often starts as a growth called a polyp. Polyps grow on the wall of the colon or rectum. Some polyps eventually become cancer. The best way to prevent colon cancer is find and remove polyps early.

Colon cancer is a common cancer, but the number of colon cancers diagnosed each year is going down. This is likely because more people are getting a colonoscopy and other tests for colon cancer.

Colon Cancer Symptoms:

Colon cancer may not have symptoms at first, so it is important to follow the recommendations for getting tested. Symptoms of colon cancer include:

  • A change in your bowel movements, like constipation or diarrhea, that lasts more than a few days
  • Bright red blood from the rectum
  • Blood in the stool (can make the stool look dark or black)
  • Pressure that feels like you need to have a bowel movement, even if you just had one
  • Weight loss that is not planned

Colon Cancer Treatment Options:

Treatment for colon cancer depends on what kind of colon cancer it is and its stage, or how far along the cancer is. Treatment may include:

  • Surgery to remove a tumor or part of the colon, or both
  • Ablation which destroys the tumor without removing it
  • Embolization which cuts off blood supply to the tumor so it can’t grow
  • Chemotherapy either locally (near the tumor) or systemically (throughout the body)
  • Immunotherapy which helps the immune system get rid of cancer cells, may be used for advanced colon cancer