Overview
Treatment options for colorectal cancer depend on the stage of the cancer when diagnosed, they age and overall health of the patient, and whether a not the cancer is localized or has metastasized, or spread, to other areas of the body.

Staging the Severity of Colorectal Cancer
Following a diagnosis of colorectal cancer, the doctor will stage, or determine at what stage the cancer is in. To do this, he or she may order blood tests, a colonoscopy, x-rays, CT scans, or an endorectal ultrasound, or a combination of one or more of these tests.

Colorectal cancer is described in stages:

• Stage 0 - the cancer is limited to the inside lining of the colon or rectum.
• Stage I - the tumor has invaded the inner wall of the colon or rectum, but has not extended past the wall.
• Stage II - the tumor has grown deeper through the wall of the colon or rectum and may already be invading surrounding tissues, although cancer cells are not yet found in the lymph nodes.
• Stage III - cancerous growth has spread to the lymph nodes, but has not yet spread to other parts of the body.
• Stage IV - cancer has spread to other organs or parts of the body.

Colorectal Cancer Treatment Options
A person who has been diagnosed colorectal cancer may utilize a variety of options depending on the stage of the disease process.  Common treatments include biological therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.

Cancer treatment is often divided into two different types:

• Systemic therapy - a common approach, such as chemotherapy or biological therapy or drugs into the bloodstream and attack, destroy or control cancer growth in different areas of the body.
• Local therapy - such as radiation treatments and surgery focus on specific body parts are areas.  Even one colorectal cancer growth has spread to other locations in the body, local therapy such as specific location surgery may be engaged.
• Surgical - depending on the location, severity and recommendation of your Dr., Three common approaches for colorectal cancer are utilized, including: Oscar pi, laparoscopy, or open surgery.

In a colonoscopy, small polyps may be removed from the upper rectal area or colon with the colonoscope through the anus. Laparoscopic surgery utilizes a small, thin two that may be inserted into very small incisions in the abdominal cavity to remove tumors or lymph nodes. Open surgical procedures utilized larger incisions cut into the abdomen a cavity to remove diseased portions of: or the rectum as well as tumors and nearby lymph nodes.

How Much Does Colorectal Cancer Treatment Cost?
Depending on the type of drugs, chemotherapy, or surgery, costs will vary. In the United States, colorectal cancer care costs over $30,000, and if surgery is needed, may cost tens of thousands dollars more.  Drugs, radiation treatments or chemotherapy treatments may cost an additional $8,000 to $10,000 a year or more, while individuals in later stages of the disease process may spend an additional $30,000 or more in treatment and palliative care.

Individuals traveling to foreign destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, India, South Africa, or Argentina May save up to 50% of costs on colorectal surgical procedures, medications, and treatment therapies.

Where Do You Find Colorectal Cancer Care?
Patients should look for experience, training, and that the specialist of their choice has been board-certified in specific areas of medicine. The physician who is board-certified in medical oncology or surgery will ensure their qualifications in their field. In most cases, primary care physicians will refer patients to a cancer specialist. Medical organizations such as the American Medical Association, or the American College of Surgeons will be able to offer the names of cancer specialists, as well as through cancer organizations throughout the country of origin.