Bowel Cancer Treatment Options

The Cancer Therapy Team at Salisbury District Hospital offer 鈥榩rehabilitation鈥� which is the work done to build up your physical and mental health, before your cancer treatment starts. This aims to put you in the best place possible to manage the treatment to come. For more information on the Cancer Therapy Team visit: Cancer Therapy Team

Macmillan Cancer Support have also put together the following information and videos:

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Each person diagnosed with cancer may have slightly different treatments. It depends if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Every patient being treated for cancer will have an individual treatment plan.

Treatments and/or operations will be suggested according to the type of cancer, where the cancer is and the needs of the patient. Every person鈥檚 care and treatment will be discussed at an MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) meeting.

Surgery

Colorectal surgery for cancer听is听most commonly performed at Salisbury District Hospital but very occasionally听patients are referred to a specialist centre such as Southampton, Basingstoke听or Oxford, this will be discussed with you if required.

We have put together the following information leaflets to explain some of the surgical procedures which might take place at Salisbury District Hospital:

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Guidance after surgery:

We have put together the following information leaflets, for guidance after surgery:

Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatments (SACT) 鈥� inc. chemotherapy & immunotherapy

Treatment with medication is known as systemic anti-cancer treatments (SACT), this can include treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

This treatment may be given either as tablets or be injected into your body. These drugs travel in the blood stream helping to stop cancer cells wherever they are in the body. Specially trained staff give the treatments.

The majority of people do not have to stay in hospital for this treatment. It will be given on the day unit. Some of these treatments have potential side-effects.

It is important that you fully understand what these side-effects can be. The treatment will be fully discussed with you and you will be given written information as well.

Some people may be offered the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial. This is not suitable for all patients and if it is a possibility for you then the research nurse will come and talk to you and make sure you fully understand all the implications.

For information on the different medications used to treat bowel cancer, visit Macmillan Cancer Support鈥檚 website where you will be able to find information on the medication you have been prescribed via their 鈥�.

For full information on the Oncology Department at Salisbury District Hospital, please click here.

Radiotherapy

This is a general term for the treatment of cancer with x-rays. It is often used on its own or as a combined treatment with surgery and/or chemotherapy. It works by destroying cancer cells in and around the area of the tumour. Further information about these treatments will be given to you, depending on which is considered most beneficial for you.

Unfortunately we are unable to provide radiotherapy treatment at Salisbury District Hospital, so radiotherapy is given at University Hospital Southampton. Click on the following links to view their patient information leaflets:

Chemoradiotherapy

Sometimes chemotherapy can be given in combination with radiotherapy, this is called chemoradiotherapy.

Chemoradiotherapy is not suitable for everyone, and your doctor or specialist nurse will give you more information about chemoradiotherapy and the possible side effects.

For more information on Chemoradiotherapy, visit:

Active monitoring

Active monitoring is a way of keeping a close eye on you medically, to see how your cancer is behaving. You may hear your doctor call this 鈥渨atching and waiting鈥� or 鈥渨atchful waiting鈥�.

Active monitoring is recognised the world over as having a place in treating some types of cancer. It might mean having regular blood tests or x-rays. If the cancer starts to change, then one of the other treatments available might be more suitable for you.

What if I am unwell after receiving cancer treatment?

If you are an existing patient receiving chemotherapy treatment and you have a temperature, feel unwell, or need advice on chemotherapy side effects or complications 鈥� please contact the Advice Line on 01722 341930.

Please visit the Acute Oncology听section for more information.

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