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CancerQuest > Introduction to Patient Information > Introduction to Cancer by Type > Colon and Rectal Cancer: Introduction > Colon and Rectal Cancer: Treatment

Colon and Rectal Cancer: Treatment

The treatment of colorectal cancer can be broken down into two categories: early stage and advanced stage. Early stage treatment involves tumors that are confined to the colon or rectum. Advanced stage treatment involves tumors that have spread to other regions of the body. Treatment options are dependent upon size of tumor, location, physical condition of patient, and stage of cancer.

As our focus is on the biology of the cancers and their treatments, we do not give detailed treatment guidelines. Instead, we link to organizations in the U.S. that generate the treatment guidelines.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) includes the following treatments for colon cancer:

• Surgery
• Radiation Therapy
• Chemotherapy

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) includes the following treatments for rectal cancer:

• Surgery
• Radiation Therapy
• Chemotherapy

More information about treatment for colorectal cancer can also be found at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.

For more information about how these and other cancer treatments work, refer to the Cancer Treatments section.

Information about clinical trials:

• General clinical trial information from CancerQuest
• Click here for information about clinical trials from the National Cancer Institute.
• Click here for information about clinical trials from Georgia Clinical Trials Online.
• Click here for information about clinical trials at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University