Colon cancer is a very dominant kind of cancer that has an occurrence rate only second to lung cancer. Research has been done for several years in an attempt to find treatment methods for colon cancer. Today, there are three common kinds of treatment for colon cancer: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Of course, the research is also being done for new and more efficient treatment methods.

The nature of the cancer and the stage the cancer is in governs the treatment method of colon cancer. Specialists may use more than one method at one time to treat colon cancer patients. Also, treatment methods are usually backed up with one another, for instance, a patient may be administered chemotherapy after undergoing surgery. Most patients like to spend time with their doctor trying to determine the best treatment plan.

In colon surgery, surgeons remove the cancerous growth as well as nearby lymph nodes from the colon to eradicate the cancerous cells from the patient�s body. Surgeons also remove a healthy portion of the colon from either side of the growth to be extra cautious. The severed colon is then sutured back together. A colon cancer surgery is usually preceded by a temporary colostomy where a bag is inserted into the digestive system to remove body waste.

Colonoscopy can also be used to remove the growth if the colon cancer is detected in its nascent stages. In radiation therapy, on the other hand, high-energy rays target the cancerous growth areas to shrink and kill the cancer cells. If specialists think that the cancer may have spread to other areas as well, they advise chemotherapy. Chemotherapy works through injecting anti-cancer drugs into the system. These drugs reach the cancerous cells and destroy them.

These treatment methods are able to significantly increase one�s lifespan and even help cure the disease completely.