New treatments improve outcomes for advanced colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is highly treatable, especially if caught early. For patients with advanced stages of the disease, new treatment options are offering hope. Dr. Umair Majeed, an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic, emphasizes that these advancements can lead to better outcomes, even for late-stage patients. Colorectal cancer is classified in stages from 0 to 4. The stage indicates how much the cancer has developed. Advanced stages, specifically stages 3 and 4, involve cancer spreading to lymph nodes and distant organs like the lungs, liver, or bones. The liver is the most common site for this spread. For some patients, liver transplantation is a treatment option. There is also a specialized program that uses a hepatic artery infusion pump. This device delivers chemotherapy directly to the liver, targeting cancer that has moved from the colon or rectum. In addition to these treatments, patients may benefit from new drugs, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. Specialized surgeries, such as cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC, are available for select patients. Dr. Majeed expresses cautious optimism about the possibilities. He notes that even in stage 4 cases, there can still be a chance for a cure in certain situations.