Treatment for bowel (colorectal) cancer
Bowel cancer can start in the large bowel (colon cancer) or back passage (rectal cancer). It is also called colorectal cancer.
This section is about treatment for colon cancer that hasn't spread to another part of the body.
Find out about treatment for rectal cancer
When colon and rectal cancer spread to another part of the body it is called metastatic or advanced bowel cancer.
Find out about treatment for metastatic bowel cancer
A team of doctors and other professionals discuss the best treatment and care for you. The main treatments are surgery and chemotherapy.
Most people have surgery for colon cancer that hasn't spread. The operation you have depends on the position of the cancer in the bowel.
Chemotherapy uses anti cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. You might have it after surgery for colon cancer.
All treatments must be fully researched before they can be adopted as standard treatment for everyone. Find out about research into bowel (colorectal) cancer, as well as how to take part in clinical trials.
After treatment, you have regular check ups and tests at the hospital. The doctors check how you are and see whether you have any problems or worries.
Last reviewed: 16 Jan 2025
Next review due: 16 Jan 2028
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What to ask your doctor about clinical trials.
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