Metastatic Colon Cancer

Metastatic Colon Cancer is a type of colon cancer that spreads to other parts of the body. If you have been recently diagnosed with Metastatic colon cancer, you may be feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. In the past years, the prognosis would have been grim to say the least, however with today’s medical advances on the treatment of cancer, there is still a good chance your disease can be treated successfully. In May of 2009 there was a review published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology that indicated a dramatic increase in survivors from this type of cancer from the period of 1990 through 2006. With the recent advent of new and more effective methods of chemotherapy and surgery, there is a new sense of hope.

Current Research

Researchers have noted that during the period between 1990 and 1997 the survival time for someone diagnosed with Metastatic colon cancer was about 14.2 months. From 1998 to 2000, the survival time jumped to about 18 months and in the period from 2001 to 2003 to 18.6 months and 29.2 from 2004 and 2006. In a very short period of time the 5 year survival rate jumped from about 9.1% to about 19.2%. This data is a few years old so there have been more advances and the chances of survival are even better today.

Living for Years

Although it may seem like a small condolence, there is new hope that a person who receives a Metastatic colon cancer diagnosis can go on to live a healthy and happy life for many years. With this information comes the belief that documented improvements and the lengthened survival rates indicative of the future. It seems in the direction we are going now, Metastatic colon cancer, in the years to come, may just become a chronic illness that needs to be managed, rather than a shortening of life.

Clinical Trials and Second Opinions

There are many new clinical trials available today and new research breakthroughs are being made every day. Talk to your doctor or healthcare workers if you have had a Metastatic colon cancer diagnosis and find out what options and treatments are available to you. Make sure that you check all of the positive as well as negative aspects of the clinical trial you are looking into. Get second opinions if the first answers you receive don’t satisfy you.

In short, receiving a diagnosis of Metastatic colon cancer is no longer a death sentence. People are fighting this disease successfully everyday. In the years to come we will see even more medical advancements and perhaps one day even a cure to cancer. Don’t lose hope, there is a very good chance of survival for you or your loved one. There are also support groups available to cancer patients and people who have loved ones who have been diagnosed. Perhaps talking to others that are battling the same disease can point you at what types of treatment they are receiving and have found to be successful. For more information on this topic, feel free to browse around our site.