Diagnosis
Colorectal cancer is usually diagnosed from a biopsy taken during a colonoscopy. This small piece of tissue from the colon or rectum is examined by a pathologist, who can confirm the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. At this time, the pathologist can also determine the stage of the disease and how aggressive the cancer is.
Treatment
Depending on the location and stage of the disease, colorectal cancer may be treated by surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of any of these treatments.
In many cases, surgery can cure the disease if it has not spread to the lymph nodes or other organs. Radiation or chemotherapy may be used before surgery to shrink the tumour to a smaller size so that it can be surgically removed. Radiation or chemotherapy may also be used after surgery to reduce the chances that colorectal cancer will recur.
Chemotherapy may also be offered to patients for whom surgery is not an option. While chemotherapy alone does not often cure colorectal cancer, it can prolong life and improve quality of life.