Colon and Rectal Cancer or popularly known as Colorectal Cancer is a Cancer that affects the colon or the rectum. Colon and Rectum are the parts of the large intestine. The colon is the longest part of the large intestine and further helps to absorbs water and nutrients from the digested food material. Rectum lies in the lower part of the large intestine and it stores stool, until defecated.
Colon cancer is one of the most common type of cancer in the world. It is more common in older individuals, but it can also affects younger individuals. Colon Cancer in younger individuals is generally aggressive and have poor prognosis.
Can colon cancer be cured?
Yes, the colon cancer be cured, especially when it is detected and treated early. The likelihood of cure or better prognosis of cancer is largely depended over the stage at which cancer is diagnosed and treatment is initiated. In current era, molecular markers of the cancers also plays a significant role in the prognosis of cancer.
Below is the breakdown of the various stages of cancer and the likelihood of cure:
1) Early Stages (Stage 0 and Stage I) Colon Cancer: Cancer in the earlier stages is confined to inner walls of the colon. Surgery is sufficient to remove the tumor and sufficient to achieve a cure. The 5-year survival rate for this stage of tumor is generally 90% and prognosis is excellent.
2) Stage II and Stage III Colon Cancer: Cancer in this stage has generally invaded the muscular layer in Stage II and is further progressed in Stage III by proliferating in the lymph nodes. Cancer in these stages is generally curable and requires combination of treatment modalities.
Generally in current practice, neo-adjuvant chemotherapy or chemo-radiotherapy is preferred followed by surgical excision of the involved colon. Adjuvant chemotherapy is based on the response of the patient based on the previous cancer treatment. The 5 – year of Stage II and Stage III colon cancer is 80% and 70% respectively.
3) Stage IV (Advanced Stage): Cancer in this stage has spread to the distant organs, mostly liver and lungs. Statistically it is well known that cure is less common in this stage and the treatment is generally directed toward improving the standard of living of the patients.
Treatment at this stage can also be directed toward prolonging the life significantly. Targeted therapy can be combined with chemotherapy and it may still offer cure in some cases. Survival is generally 14% for Stage IV colon cancer.
Colon and Rectal Cancer in Younger individuals:
Statistically,colon and rectal cancer is rare in younger individuals and traditionally thought to be disease of older adults but there is concerning rise in cases among younger peoples in recent years. While colon cancer cases in younger individual is still rare but the exact cause is not fully understood yet. There are several factors that may contribute to colon cancer in younger individuals and it as follows:
1) Diet and Lifestyle: Unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle can play a significant role in colon cancer in younger individuals.
2) Environmental Factors: Exposure to certain environmental factors or toxins can result in increased incidence of colon cancer in younger patients.
3) Genetic Factors: Inherited genetic conditions like Lynch syndrome can predispose an individual to colo-rectal cancer.
Colon cancer is younger adults is sometime more aggressive and is often diagnosed at late or advanced stages, impacting the prognosis and the survival of young colon cancer patients. But, it should also be well known that colon cancer patients are generally resilient to aggressive treatment and that may impact the prognosis and treatment outcomes.
Treatment of Colon and Rectal Cancer through Ayurveda
Dr. Ravi Gupta, Ayurveda Cancer Consultant is a well-known Ayurvedic doctor, and specializes in colon and rectal cancer treatment. He strongly believes that holistic healing and restoring imbalance in doshas in crucial in colo-rectal cancer treatment. The following principles that Dr. Ravi Gupta follows for treatment of colon cancer:
1) Immunomodulation: Dr. Ravi Gupta strongly believes and advocates that strengthening colon cancer patient immune system can prove beneficial in treatment of colon cancer. The immune system can be strengthen by various herbal and herbo-mineral formulations as mentioned in Ayurveda. Specific dietary and lifestyle recommendations is also crucial in building up the immune system of an individual.
2) Rasayana Therapy: Dr. Ravi Gupta strongly emphasizes on initiating Rasayana Therapy early in the treatment of colon and rectal cancer patients. Rasayana Therapy helps build up the immunity of an individual and improve overall general health of colon cancer patients. Rasayana formulations like Kushmanda Avaleha and Bala Ghrita can prove extremely beneficial in colon cancer patients.
3) Detoxification (Shodhana Karma): Shodhana Karma involves cleansing the toxins from the body through various therapies like Panchakarma. Panchakarma includes different procedures like Vamana (Therapeutic Vomiting), Virechana (Therapeutic Purgation), Basti (Medicated Enemas), Nasya (Administration of medicated oil through nostrils), and Raktamokshana (Blood Letting). Panchakarma helps in Shodhana of the dustha doshas and so amelioration of colon and rectal cancer.
Consultation with qualified Ayurvedic Cancer Consultant like Dr. Ravi Gupta can help to receive personalized colon cancer treatment is must.
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