What is the first treatment for colorectal cancer?

Treatment planning starts with tests that show whether the cancer is in the colon or rectum and whether it has spread. A bowel resection removes the tumour and a margin of nearby tissue; nearby lymph nodes may also be examined. Rectal cancers may need treatment before surgery to shrink or control the tumour. If cancer has spread, medicine that travels through the bloodstream may be used first or alongside local treatment. Genomic tumour profiling can identify features that help the team consider targeted medicines or immunotherapy.

Ask for the planned sequence, the purpose of each treatment, and how the team will judge whether it is working. Take a written list of medicines and health conditions to the oncology appointment. Report new bowel blockage symptoms, worsening pain, vomiting, or inability to pass stool or gas promptly. You can read about Bowel Cancer, Bowel Resection, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, and Genomic Tumour Profiling before the discussion.

Contact the treating team urgently for severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, a swollen abdomen, heavy rectal bleeding, fainting, or fever during cancer treatment. These symptoms can need same-day assessment, especially if you cannot keep fluids down or pass stool and gas.

Is surgery suitable as my first treatment? Is the tumour in a location where treatment before surgery would help? What did the staging scans and tumour tests show? What side effects should I report immediately?