Metastatic colorectal cancer means the cancer has spread beyond the colon or rectum.
Treatment focuses on slowing progression and managing symptoms.
Therapies may include chemotherapy, targeted treatment, and oral anticancer medicines.
Ongoing care helps maintain quality of life and daily function.
Colorectal cancer begins in the colon or rectum, often as small growths that develop over time. When cancer cells move beyond the original site and establish themselves in distant organs, the disease is called metastatic colorectal cancer.
Treatment does not cease; now, instead of striving for a cure, the goal has changed. The physician will now direct their energy toward controlling the disease and the associated symptoms, and assisting the patient in living as fulfilling a life as possible given their circumstances.
Cancer spreads when cells break away from the original tumour and travel through blood vessels or lymph channels. These cells can settle in other organs and begin to grow again.
The most common areas affected are:
Liver
Lungs
Abdominal lining
Lymph nodes
Sometimes, spread is discovered at diagnosis. In other cases, it appears after initial treatment.
The affected area will influence the symptoms experienced. Patients may develop cancer and not be symptomatic for some period of time or notice changes over time.
Examples of symptoms that patients may experience:
Long-lasting abdominal discomfort or swelling.
Sudden weight reduction with no obvious reason.
Feeling tired even after sleeping.
Increasing difficulty breathing or a persistent cough.
Yellow skin or eyes if the liver is affected.
Many of these symptoms will develop progressively; therefore, keeping up with regular follow-up appointments with your physician will help catch any changes in your body that may indicate the onset of cancer.
The usual methods of determining a cancer diagnosis include:
CT and PET imaging
Blood samples that include tumour markers
A biopsy of any suspected metastasis
This information helps determine the extent of cancer and which treatments should be performed.
Treatment is personalised and may change over time. The main goals include:
Slowing tumour growth
Reducing symptoms
Preventing complications
Prolonging survival
Maintaining daily activity and comfort
Doctors regularly reassess the effectiveness of treatment and adjust plans accordingly.
It remains an essential component of treatment and is used to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells in the body.
This therapy is a type of medication that targets specific pathways in cancer cells that are responsible for their growth. Targeted therapy has a different side effect profile than chemotherapy and can be less severe than traditional chemotherapy medicines.
Surgery and radiation may be used in specific cases to relieve symptoms or treat localised metastatic regions of cancer.
Patients whose conditions worsen despite standard therapies may wish to consider additional treatment options; one example is oral medications such as Tipanat 20mg, which contain Trifluridine and Tipiracil. Trifluridine induces DNA changes in cancer cells, while tipiracil inhibits the breakdown of trifluridine, thereby reducing cancer cell growth.
Patients would typically be given medications like this once they have exhausted all other potential treatment avenues, and both medications are monitored regularly by a physician throughout treatment.
Individual patient characteristics and the type of treatment utilised determine the side effects experienced. Side effects are typically managed with medications.
Some commonly reported side effects include:
Fatigue
Nausea and decreased appetite
Changes in blood counts
Digestive issues
Most side effects may be relieved with early reporting to the medical team. Having consistent communication with your medical team will allow better management of side effects, alleviate discomfort and improve safety.
Many patients live active lives while on treatment. Daily routines may need adjustment, but life does not stop.
Helpful strategies include:
Pacing activities
Maintaining balanced nutrition
Accepting support from family
Managing stress and mental health
Supportive care is as important as medical treatment.
Patients diagnosed with metastasis will experience negative emotional impacts associated with their diagnoses, such as anxiety, worries, and sadness. The effects of these emotions can be lessened over time through counselling, participation in support groups, and working closely with health professionals.
Changes in treatment do not mean failure. Cancer behaviour evolves, and therapy must adapt. Doctors may switch anticancer medicines based on:
Disease response
Side effects
New evidence or options
Patient preference
Flexibility is part of long-term care.
While metastatic colorectal cancer is a significant diagnosis, it also provides opportunities through new advances in its treatments, allowing many patients to live longer and have improved symptom management and quality of life.
Patients who understand their condition and are involved in their treatment have greater clarity and confidence throughout treatment. The ability for patients to receive personalised therapies and have strong support networks allows for the continued management of metastatic colorectal cancer as a chronic illness, rather than as a terminal illness.
