Depending on the location, size, spread and stage of the cancer, the doctor will recommend the most suitable surgery option.

  Colorectal cancer surgery can be done using traditional open surgery or minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic). In general, minimally invasive surgery is more frequently chosen, but if the tumour is too large or in special cases, open surgery may be used.

  After removing the tumour, a small number of patients may need a temporary or permanent colostomy.

 

  Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy that uses anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs carried by the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells.

  Some patients receive chemotherapy and radiotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumour.

  Chemotherapy given after surgery is used to reduce the risk of recurrence, and in some cases is used to control the spread of cancer cells.

  Possible side effects include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and mouth sores, but most of these can be managed with medication.

 

  Targeted therapy, like chemotherapy, is a form of systemic therapy. The distinction lies in the fact that chemotherapy does not exclusively target cancer cells and may also affect normal tissues, whereas targeted therapy focuses on specific genes responsible for cancer cell growth and the proteins they produce (known as “targets”). Targeted drugs can disrupt the growth or repair functions of these cancer cells, leading to their demise.

  Possible side effects include fever, muscle pain, chills, dry skin, itching and rashes, diarrhea, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing, but most of these can be managed with medication.

 

  Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal cells.

  Radiotherapy is commonly used for rectal cancer.

  It can be done before or after surgery, and can be short-course or long-course options.

  Sometimes, chemotherapy is given at the same time as radiation.

  The treated area may swell, and the anus may feel sore. However, these are all short-term side effects.

 

  Immunotherapy boosts your own immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells.

  The most common type is immune checkpoint inhibitors.

  Immunotherapy can be the first-line treatment for patients with colorectal cancer with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H).