Stage III colon cancer is a more advanced stage of the disease where abnormal cells are no longer contained within your colon. They've now metastasized beyond this portion of your intestinal tract into neighboring regions, such as the lymph nodes, rectum and bladder. For some, it may even have spread into the membrane that lines their abdominal cavity, which helps protect your organs. And though early detection is the most effective means of fighting cancer, surviving stage III colon cancer is still possible, especially when you follow the prescribed course of treatment.
Treatment
Of all the things you can do to survive stage III colon cancer, surgery is by far one of the more effective treatment options. With this type of procedure, the diseased portion of your colon is actually removed. Often referred to as simply a "resection," cancerous tissue is first extracted. This may include just a small section of your large intestines or the entire colon itself. But regardless of the amount removed, the remaining intestinal tract is then reconnected through a procedure known as anastomosis.
Yet due to the stage of the disease, an adjuvant course of chemotherapy usually follows the extraction of the cancerous tissue. This is largely a result of the metastasis that has taken place within your body, as surgery doesn't necessarily remove all the malignant tissue. By going through chemotherapy, you're not only ridding your system of any abnormal cells that may have been missed during the resection, but you're also increasing your likelihood of survival.
With stage III colon cancer, chemotherapy is typically given systematically, which essentially means that the "anticancer" drugs are administered either intravenously or orally so that they may enter your bloodstream. This allows the medication to reach those areas of the body that may now contain the associated abnormal cells.
Follow-up Care
While this standard course of treatment can go a long way to helping you survive, it's also quite important to put in place some simple self-care measures. These can often increase your overall prognosis with any form of this disease, so start off by making sure to take some time to relax and couple this with a healthy, well-balanced diet. Treatment can really take a toll on your body, but, by getting proper sleep and nutrients, you're helping boost your immune system while combating fatigue.
It's also essential to create a support system for yourself. This may include family, friends or even strangers who are going through cancer as well. No matter where your find the support, talk about your feelings and emotions. You're not alone in this. By talking about what is going on, you can relieve a great deal of tension and stress, creating a healthier environment for you to beat the disease.
Tags: abnormal cells, colon cancer, stage colon, stage colon cancer, cancerous tissue, course treatment
