Colorectal Cancer, Metastatic or Recurrent

Radiation treatment

Radiation therapy uses X-rays to destroy colorectal cancer cells. It is often combined with surgery or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy may also be used to reduce the cancer's size when it is blocking the colon or rectum or to relieve pain from cancer that has spread to other organs.

Radiation treatments are not likely to cure metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer, but they may ease pain and discomfort, slow the spread of the disease, and help you live longer.

Treatment for liver cancer

Sometimes colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver can be removed by surgery. But usually other treatments are necessary, such as:

• Radiofrequency ablation. A small wire that emits radio waves is inserted into the tumor. The radio waves destroy the liver tumor without harming healthy tissue.
• Cryosurgery. This is often done in surgery for liver cancer but sometimes can be done through the skin (percutaneous). When cryosurgery is done through the skin, the doctor uses ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to guide probes that deliver liquid nitrogen directly to the tumor in the liver. The liquid nitrogen freezes and destroys cancer cells.
• Embolization. Tumor embolization shrinks a liver tumor by cutting off its blood supply. Guided by ultrasound or MRI, the doctor puts a thin, flexible tube, called a catheter, into an artery near your groin or in your arm. The catheter is guided into the liver artery (the hepatic artery) that supplies blood to the tumor. A mixture of chemicals and small particles (like grains of sand) are sent through the catheter into the hepatic artery. This mixture blocks the artery and stops blood from getting to the liver tumor.
• Interstitial radiation therapy. In this type of internal radiation therapy, radioactive material sealed in needles, wires, seeds, or catheters is placed directly into the tumor or body tissue.
• Intra-arterial hepatic chemotherapy. The surgeon implants a small pump in the belly that delivers chemotherapy right into the tumor. The pump can be left in place as long as needed.

Complementary therapies

In addition to conventional medical treatment, complementary therapies may improve the quality of your life by helping you manage the stress and side effects of cancer treatment. But these complementary therapies should not replace standard therapy.

• Acupuncture
• Herbs
• Biofeedback
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Guided imagery
• Vitamins and nutritional supplements

Before you try any of these therapies, discuss their possible benefits and side effects with your doctor. Let him or her know if you are already using any such therapies. For more information, see the topic Complementary Medicine.

What to think about

Clinical trials are studies designed to find better ways to treat people and are based on the most up-to-date information. There are a number of clinical trials involving the treatment for metastatic or advanced colorectal cancer. If you match the guidelines, you may be able to enroll in one. If you are interested, ask your doctor whether there are trials in which you can participate. The National Cancer Institute or your local chapter of the American Cancer Society can also help you find clinical trials.