Best Colon Cancer Treatment Hospital in Delhi

Colon cancer is the thirteenth-most common cancer in India. Delhi houses multiple colon cancer hospitals that are determined to provide cost-effective and latest treatments to patients.

Choosing the best colon cancer treatment hospital in Delhi is essential for increasing the chances of cancer-free life.

Keep reading further to learn about colon cancer and the factors influencing choosing the best treatment hospital in Delhi!

Colon cancer affects the cells of the large intestine. The large intestine is critical in absorbing water and minerals from our food. When the cells of the colon(a segment of the large intestine) grow without control, they form cancer. Colon cancer begins when small clumps or polyps are formed in the colon. All of these polyps do not create cancer, but some may.

After diagnosing the presence of colon cancer, the doctor categorises the cancer into a type and a stage. This classification is essential for medical professionals to seek the appropriate treatment option.

Types of Colon Cancer

• Carcinoid tumor: It originates in the neuroendocrine cells that line the walls of the colon. The tumors are slow-growing, but patients often have several tumors at the same time. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of colon cancer.
• Stromal tumor: It affects the involuntary cells of the colon, which are responsible for peristalsis(churning of food).
• Lymphomas: They originate in the immune cells of the colon. Lymphomas are pretty rare kinds of colon cancer.
• Squamous cell carcinoma: It originates in the blood vessels of the colon. This type of colon cancer is the least common.

Staging of colon Cancer

• Stage 1: Cancer has grown into the wall of the intestine but hasn’t spread to the muscle coat of the lymph nodes.
• Stage 2: Cancer has now spread beyond the wall but still hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes.
• Stage 3: Cancer has grown in size than the previous stages and has affected one or more lymph nodes.
• Stage 4: This is the terminal stage of colon cancer. It describes tumors which have grown out of their original organ and have spread to distant organs like the liver, lung, rectum, stomach, etc.

Colon cancer can be easily treatable if it is diagnosed early. Looking out for signs and symptoms of colon cancer can help you get diagnosed early. Following are the signs and symptoms of colon cancer:

• Any change in the regular bowel habits. If you are feeling constipated or getting diarrhoea more often than usual, it can be a sign of colon cancer.
• Blood in the stool cannot be ignored in any case. If you have observed blood in the stool even once, you should seek immediate medical help.
• Unusual discomfort in the abdomen or the belly area. You may be experiencing more frequent pain, which doesn’t go away quickly.
• Feeling weak or tired more often, even without doing substantial physical activity.
• Unexplained rapid weight loss.

There can be various reasons for the development of colon cancers. Understanding the risk factors and trying to minimise them can help combat or prevent cancer.

The following are the common factors which may give rise to colon cancer:

• Age: People beyond 50 years are more likely to get colon cancer. Studies have shown that colon cancer is steadily increasing among the younger population, but older people remain more at risk.
• Lifestyle: An unhealthy lifestyle, like limited physical activity, an imbalanced diet, consumption of alcohol, smoking, etc., can lead to colon cancer.
• Family history: If your immediate family member (parent, sibling, child) has developed colon or rectal cancer, you are also at a higher risk of getting colon cancer. This is due to the inheritable genetic mutations that lead to cancer, or it can be due to the familiar environment while growing up.
• History with polyps: Colon polyps are pretty common among many individuals. If you have had a history of getting affected by colon polyps(noncancerous), then you may be at a higher risk of colon cancer.
• Inflammatory bowel disease: Individuals constantly affected by inflammatory bowel diseases may undergo cellular changes, leading to colon cancer.
• Genetic syndromes: Colon cancer can also develop in individuals who have inherited specific genetic syndromes. Two of the most critical genetic syndromes which can lead to colon cancers are the Lynch syndrome and the familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

Early diagnosis of colon cancer can significantly increase the survival rate of colon cancer patients. Following are the standard diagnostic tests for colon cancer:

• Colonoscopy: It uses a thin wire with a camera inserted into the colon to look for signs of polyps or cancer. Removing some of the unwanted tumours or polyps during the colonoscopy is possible. A biopsy can also follow a colonoscopy.
• Biopsy: If a tissue sample is taken during a colonoscopy, it can be sent to a lab for further examination. Multiple microscopic or histopathological studies may be done to diagnose cancer.
• Imaging tests: Several imaging tests like CT-scan, MRI, and PET scans can give insights about the cancer's location and size in the body.
• Stool test: Stool tests can be done to look for some colon cancer markers. Sometimes, blood isn't visible clearly in the stool. Thus, a stool test can also be done to look for bleeding. Some labs may try to analyse the DNA in the stool to look for genetic markers of colon cancer.

A wide range of treatment options are available for colon cancer. The doctor advises treatment options depending on various parameters. The following are the widely used treatment options:

• Surgery: Polyps may be removed during colonoscopy (polypectomy). For non-complex stage colon cancers, a minimally invasive laparoscopy may be done to remove cancer tissue. In the case of advanced colon cancers, a complete or partial colectomy may be required to remove the cancerous part.
• Chemotherapy: Highly potent drugs specialised to destroy cancer cells can be administered. These drugs can either be given orally or through an IV infusion. CHmeoterhaoy is a harsh procedure on the body and may lead to hair loss, fatigue, constant weakness, etc.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation beams from sources like protons and X-rays can destroy the cancer cells' DNA. Radiation can also reduce the size of cancer before the surgery.
• Targeted therapy: Cancer cells use specific proteins and enzymes essential for their growth and pathogenesis. Targeted therapies involve drugs specific to the proteins and enzymes required for cancer cells. Since only cancer cells are targeted, the body's healthy cells remain intact.
• Immunotherapy: The body's immune cells can kill the cancer cells. In fact, they kill cancer cells all the time! It’s only when cancer cells manage to hide deep into the tissues the immune cells fail to kill them. Immunotherapies focus on enhancing the body's immune response to kill the cancer naturally.

Overall, the cost of colon cancer depends on a variety of factors. Some of the common factors are as follows:

• Diagnostic tests can be a significant cost for colon cancer. Colon cancers are often misdiagnosed as usual bowel infections or noncancerous polyps. Doctors thus perform several tests before concluding.
• Patients might require several cycles of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which can contribute to the cost.
• Advanced treatment options like targeted therapy and immunotherapy are personalised treatment options which are costlier.
• The locality of the hospital, its amenities, and the expertise of the medical staff also contribute to the cost.
• Colon cancer patients might need supportive care such as nutritional counselling, physiotherapy, etc.

Amerix Cancer Hospital is one of the top choices for colon cancer treatment in Delhi. It hosts cutting-edge technology, a multidisciplinary team of specialists, and personalised care. It is determined to offer world-class treatments to patients with compassionate care.

Amerix Cancer Hospital offers a wide range of services, from advanced diagnostics like colonoscopy and genetic testing to the latest treatments such as robotic surgery and targeted therapy.

The hospital provides holistic care, including nutritional support and psychological counselling, to ensure the best care for patients.

Amerix Cancer Hospital is the one-stop cancer centre for treating and caring for early to advanced-stage colon cancer patients.

You may book a consultation today for any queries about colon cancer, treatment options, costs, and facilities at Amerix Cancer Hospital.