If someone is diagnosed with colon cancer, it can be a very overwhelming time for the patient and their family. However, it is to be considered that advancements in medical science and availability of properly guided treatment, there’s hope! This guide aims to walk you through the nuances of colon cancer, its treatment procedure, and how patients can access the best available treatments.
Understanding Colon Cancer:
Colon Cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a disease that initiates and spreads in the large intestine of the human body. For a successful treatment and positive result, it must be detected at the earliest stage. This does not mean that a cancer detected at a later stage cannot be healed. It is just that things get a little more complicated and time-consuming. The risks are higher at a later stage of colon cancer.
Stages of Colon Cancer:
For your better understanding, we have broken down the basic details of colon cancer stages below:
- Stage 1: Cancer limited to the colon lining. This stage indicates that the cancer has only started spreading and is confined to the colon wall.
- Stage 2: At the second stage, the cancer spreads through the colon walls and becomes more challenging.
- Stage 3: The third stage is more complex, where the cancer has reached close to the lymph nodes.
- Stage 4: The fourth stage is the most advanced form of the ailment, where the disease has spread to distant organs.
Once a complete diagnosis takes place and the stage of cancer is identified, a suitable treatment plan is to be implemented.
Did You Know?
As per the research prediction by GLOBOCAN, cancer cases in India are set to increase to 2.08 million by the year 2040.
The statistics and insights are alarming, and they urge humans towards picking up a healthier lifestyle and opt for conscious living to ensure longevity and a healthy life.
Available Colon Cancer Treatments in India
India has advanced medical facilities and a broad set of treatments available to deal with colon cancer. However, based on the stage of the disease, age, and health condition of the patient, the oncologist would be able to suggest the best-fitting treatment plan. We have listed the all available treatments for your reference:
- Surgical Treatments: Surgical treatment is often used for earlier stages of cancer, such as stages 1 and 2. In some cases, it is considered for stage 3 as well. Colectomy is a surgical treatment where part of the colon is removed from the body. Resection and anastomosis is another type of surgical treatment, where the cancerous part of the colon is removed and the healthy one is rejoined. Other surgeries include Laparoscopic Surgery (a minimally invasive approach) and robotic surgery for highly precise treatments.
- Radiation Therapy: Normally, radiation therapy is used for rectal cancer, but in specific cases where surgery cannot be done, it could be used to treat colon cancer.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the standard treatment used for treating advanced colon cancer cells (stage 3 and 4). The therapy is ingested orally or intravenously to neutralize the cancer cells. Often, this treatment is used post-surgery to address the remaining cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy: This advanced treatment is used for patients with advanced stage of colon cancer. The therapy works effectively on MSI-H (Microsatellite Instability-High) tumors as well as mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) tumors.
- Targeted Therapy: This therapy is used to target the specific genetic mutations in the colon cancer cells. Advanced drugs are used to specifically target the molecules causing gthe rowth of colon cancer beyond the large intestine.
Recovery After Colon Cancer Treatment
Once the treatment is complete, it is essential to go through a systematic recovery phase to ensure complete restoration of health and wellness. Here’s what the recovery process looks like:
- In post-op recovery, the patients are likely to feel pain and discomfort, which requires medications. The patients are kept in hospital for a week approximately to support the recovery process.
- Experts recommend that patients engage in early movement (with safety) to make sure there are no blood clots or other complications.
- Dieticians carefully prepare a plan, mostly including liquid foods and slowly transitioning to solid foods after a certain period of time.
- In the long term, patients may feel fatigued, and the risk of infections is also there. To avoid that, the patients need to opt for dietary adjustments, frequent medical checkups, and effective health monitoring.
Experts recommend leading a healthy lifestyle, including physical activities in your daily routine and maintaining healthy body weight. It is recommended to get in touch with your oncology experts in case you face any issues or have any follow-up questions.
Cost of Colon Cancer Treatment in India
The treatment of colon cancer in India costs between INR 5 Lakh (500000) and INR 25 Lakh (2500000), depending upon the stage and complexities involved. This is a rough estimate of diagnosis, combination of different treatments, and recovery. To understand the cost estimates in detail, check out our dedicated page for the Cost of Colon Cancer in India.
Best Doctors for Colon Cancer Treatment in India
India has excellent oncologists offering their services for the health and recovery of people suffering from various ailments. For colon cancer treatment, there are various renowned doctors. The list includes:
- Dr. Rajesh Puri (with 30 years of experience)
- Dr. Sandeep Nayak P (with 28 years of experience)
- Dr. Chetan Kantharia (with 28 years of experience)
and many more esteemed oncology experts. Check out our detailed page for the best doctors for colon cancer treatment in India here to get the required details and make the right decisions.
Best Hospitals for Colon Cancer Treatment in India
Whether you seek comprehensive advanced medical care for colon cancer treatment or initial consultation, India offers a wide range of reliable options. To name a few, these are:
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai
- Apollo Hospital, Chennai
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
- Medanta – The Medicity, Gurgaon
It is recommended to conduct thorough research before finalizing a hospital to get the best suitable treatment for your requirements. Access your detailed list of the best hospitals for colon cancer treatment in India to know more.
Why do International Patients Select India for Colon Cancer Treatment?
India is becoming the preferred choice amongst international patients seeking advanced medical treatment for colon cancer. Here are the key reasons why international patients are opting for Indian medical services to address their cancer-related issues:
- Cutting-edge Medical Solutions: India is advancing in medical technology, and the presence of experienced oncologists makes it a suitable destination for addressing the needs of cancer patients. The country has state-of-the-art hospitals with modern facilities and medical support staff for advanced cancer care.
- Cost-effective Treatment: Compared to the world, the colon cancer treatment costs are relatively low in India. Contrary to Western countries, India offers advanced treatment at top-notch medical facilities without being a heavy financial burden for international patients.
- Competent Oncologists: India is renowned for harvesting excellent medical brains, both trained at the advanced medical institutions in India and worldwide. This ensures you have the best oncologists looking at the patients’ cases and providing the best treatment.
- Support with Medical Tourism: India is thriving in the field of medical tourism. Patients from all over the world can get end-to-end assistance with their travel, accommodation, hospital recommendations, appointments with oncologists, and visa support. Cancer Rounds is one such trusted platform, assisting international cancer patients with the required support for their treatment in India.
Good to Know!
Consuming anti-inflammatory diet that is rich in antioxidants and minerals, helps in reducing the chances of colon cancer. Consuming gut-friendly food is the key to prevent the chances of this ailment finding its way into your body.
Why Choose Cancerrounds?
You can trust Cancer Round’s expert team to guide you through your colon cancer treatment in India. We understand that the process could be complex, overwhelming, and challenging. Therefore, we bring in the following key solutions to rescue:
- Support with cancer care consultation.
- Assistance in finding the best oncologists and hospitals for your treatment.
- Cost estimation and financial assistance.
- Visa and medical tourism/accommodation support.
Get in touch with us today, and let us help you ease your journey to defeat cancer.
Conclusion:
Colon cancer treatment in India is a combination of quality medical services, qualified oncologists, and advanced hospital facilities. The cost of treatment is relatively low compared to the Western world treatment costs. Experts recommend effective and thorough diagnosis as the foundation of successful treatment. With the availability of high-tech medical support, there’s hope for patients struggling with colon cancer issues.
