Colorectal cancer is the second leading type of cancer in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. It ranks second only to breast cancer in women and lung cancer in men. Colorectal cancer is the growth of malignant cells in the colon or rectum that form a tumor. It has a strong link to the liver. The National Cancer Institute estimates that four-fifths of those diagnosed with liver cancer also have colorectal cancer and that at least 30 percent of colorectal cancer cases are the result of metastasis, or spreading from the liver.
Treatment
As with all types of metastatic cancers, the primary site of the cancer, in this case the liver, must be the focus of the treatment. Liver cancer with metastasis to the colon is treated using the generally accepted methods for liver cancer, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, medication and surgery. In addition to these, there are other well-accepted treatments such as biological therapy and cryosurgery. The oncologist may decide on any of these options, or a combination.
Embolization Therapy
Embolization therapy is designed to treat the spread of liver cancer. It is a nonsurgical treatment that is minimally invasive. An interventional radiologist carries out this procedure. The patient is given local anesthesia, and remains conscious. A small incision is made into the femoral artery, and a guide wire is put into it. A delivery catheter is pushed into the targeted area (in this case, the colon or the rectum) through the arterial system. A contrast agent is given to help the doctor find the blood vessels of the tumor during the procedure. A syringe containing the embolic material is passed through the skin and delivered to the target area, blocking blood flow to the tumor. Over the next few months, the emoblized blood vessels shrink and the tumor decreases in size. This procedure is considered a safer alternative to expensive and side-effect-prone therapies such as chemo and radiotherapy.
Other Treatments
When the cancer has spread only to a small portion of the colon, the liver cancer and colon cancer mets can be cured using surgery. In this surgical procedure, part or all of the liver is removed and the portion of the colon containing the cancer cells is removed. The liver has the capacity to regenerate, so the digestive system is still able to function properly.
A targeted drug called sorafenib can also be administered if surgery cannot remove the cancer cells. Sorafenib is taken in tablet form. It inhibits receptors that the cancer cells need to grow and slows or stops the spread of the cancer from the liver to the colon and/or other areas in the body. Sorafenib is not curative, but can prolong life and reduce symtpoms of metastatic liver cancer.
Tags: cancer cells, liver cancer, blood vessels, Cancer Institute, colon rectum