For fifty years, patients have chosen Blue Ridge Cancer Care for our expertise and personalized colon and rectal cancer treatment plans. We also bring emerging cancer treatments to our community through an extensive clinical research program. We make leading-edge cancer care convenient with locations in Roanoke, Salem, Blacksburg, Pulaski, Wytheville, Rocky Mount, Lexington, Bedford, Princeton, Fairlea, and Low Moor.
Colorectal cancer treatment is based on a variety of factors, including the tumor's location and specific features of the cancer cells. Our integrated care team will create a treatment plan that’s tailored to your specific diagnosis and personal goals, always focused on preserving your quality of life. Most patients require more than one type of treatment for colon or rectal cancer. Your oncologist will review what’s recommended for you.
Surgery
Surgery is often the first and most important treatment for colorectal cancer. The goal is to remove the tumor along with nearby tissue and lymph nodes where cancer may have spread.
In early-stage cases, minimally invasive procedures may be performed during a colonoscopy to remove small tumors. For more advanced colorectal cancers, a portion of the colon or rectum may be surgically removed. Surgery may not be recommended if the cancer was diagnosed at a later stage and has spread beyond the colon. The surgeon will review the recommendations based on your specific diagnosis.
Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer
Chemotherapy uses powerful medications to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. It is most commonly given after surgery to reduce the chance of the cancer returning. By treating the entire lymphatic system, any remaining cancer cells are eliminated before they can spread to new areas of the body.Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove.
There is typically a combination of chemotherapy drugs used to treat colorectal cancer. The Blue Ridge Cancer Care team will guide you through the entire infusion process and help manage the side effects of treatment.
Radiation Therapy for Colorectal Cancer
Radiation therapy uses focused energy beams to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. It is most commonly used when the tumor is located in the rectum or when it is close to surrounding organs.
Radiation therapy is given in our cancer centers by one of our radiation oncologists. The team of doctors will determine if radiation would work best before surgery to shrink a tumor, after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that may have been left behind, or as a palliative treatment to relieve pain or other symptoms in advanced stages of colorectal cancer.
Our radiation oncologists use the most advanced technologies to precisely target the tumor while protecting healthy tissue.
Colorectal Cancer Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy works by interfering with specific molecules that cancer cells use to grow and spread. Your oncologist will determine if targeted therapy will work for you based on biomarker testing. The test results will identify unique genetic markers or proteins present in the cancer that can be targeted with a drug designed to counteract the genetic change.
It is most often used in advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer, where it can help slow disease progression. Targeted therapies typically have fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy and may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy helps your body’s own immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells. This treatment is used primarily for colorectal cancers with specific genetic features, such as microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR).
If testing confirms that your tumor has one of these features, immunotherapy may be an effective treatment option, especially if the cancer has spread or hasn’t responded to other therapies.
Clinical Trials Access in Southwest Virginia
Blue Ridge Cancer Care participates in national clinical research studies through the Sarah Cannon Research Institute. We can offer patients access to promising new therapies that may not be available elsewhere in the region. For colorectal cancer, new targeted therapies and immunotherapies are being developed and studied so that cancer treatment can be even more personalized for each patient.
Why Choose Blue Ridge Cancer Care?
Colorectal cancer treatment is complex, but you don’t have to face it alone or travel far to receive excellent care. Blue Ridge Cancer Care offers comprehensive, cutting-edge cancer care in a setting that’s easily accessible, friendly, and more affordable than hospital-based cancer centers.
We will be with you every step of the way, including emotional and mental support. Request a consultation at a location that is most convenient for you. We are also available for second opinions, an important step before choosing your colorectal cancer care team.
