Treatment of Metastases
Colorectal cancer developing metastases is always considered as an advanced cancer. Healing is still possible for some of these patients.
Metastases of colorectal cancer usually develop in the liver, but also in lungs, brain and bone.
- Surgery of Metastases
The only therapy potentially leading to a healing is to completely remove any metastases in liver and/or lung surgically. Even if new metastases in liver or lung develop after surgery, a second surgery and also healing is still possible.
- Chemotherapy
There are situations when surgery is not feasible due to a high number of metastases as well as due to their location. In these cases chemotherapy may be useful. Cytostatic drugs can be either injected into a vein (systemic chemotherapy) or given through a catheter directly into the hepatic artery (liver port system) which is called regional chemotherapy. Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy may shrink metastases before surgery so they can be eventually removed. Chemotherapy is used also in inoperable lung metastases.
- Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT)
SIRT is a new method which still has to be proven by scientific research. Small radioactive particles are injected through a catheter right into the hepatic artery, causing an emboly in the blood vessels of the metastasis on the one hand, and a shrinking of the metastasis through radiation on the other hand. However, a complete healing is not possible.
- Radiofrequency Therapy
In this therapy, a needle electrode is moved into the center of a metastasis. The tumorous tissue, treated with alternating current, is burnt and potentially destroyed by the heat. Still a recurrence of new tumors at the same location occurs quite frequently.
- Treatment of Brain Metastases
Once metastases have developed in the brain, the stage of the disease is very advanced. Surgery will be done, if possible, considering the findings and the general condition of the patient. If no surgery is feasible, radiation can be an alternative treatment option.
- Treatment of Bone Metastases
The development of bone metastases also indicates a very advanced stage of the disease that may be treated with chemotherapy and optionally with radiation.