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Surgery

Colectomy and/or rectal surgery is often needed to treat colon/rectal cancer. Laparoscopic surgery is done through several small incisions in the abdomen instead of one large one, and it's becoming more widely used for some colon cancers. This approach usually allows patients to recover faster, with less pain after the operation. Laparoscopic surgery is also being studied for treating some rectal cancers, but more research is needed to see if it as effective as standard surgery.

Chemotherapy & Radiation

Chemotherapy, or drug treatment, may be used before or after surgery, depending on the stage and type of cancer. The drugs are often used in combination for maximum effect, and radiation may be added to your regimen as well:

American Cancer Society: Colon and Rectum Cancer - Chemotherapy and Radiation

Possible Treatment Side Effects

Chemotherapy drugs can cause hair loss, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and other side effects, though how many patients are affected varies greatly. Though surgery to remove a tumor is usually very effective in treating colon cancer, it too has side effects

CancerCompass.com: Side effects of colon cancer surgery, chemotherapy and radiation

For holistic treatment alternatives read this article:

Colon Cancer Alternative Treatments

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