How long can a rectal cancer patient live after surgery

Rectal cancer is also a malignant tumor with a high incidence rate, but unlike other cancers, the cure rate of rectal cancer is relatively high, especially in the early stages of the disease. Many patients are concerned about how long they can live with rectal cancer. In fact, there is no accurate answer to this question, which varies from person to person.

The choice of treatment for advanced rectal cancer is an important factor affecting how long patients can live with advanced rectal cancer. The main clinical treatments for advanced rectal cancer include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and traditional Chinese medicine. Arterial chemotherapy is the main chemotherapy for advanced rectal cancer, which can shrink the tumor to a certain extent, but it will also increase toxic and side effects as the treatment time increases. Therefore, chemotherapy drugs and chemotherapy time should be determined based on tumor relief, symptom relief, and treatment-related toxicity.

Radiotherapy is also one of the most commonly used treatment methods for advanced rectal cancer. It can shrink tumors and improve symptoms. It is usually used in combination with chemotherapy, and the effect is better than radiotherapy alone or chemotherapy alone. However, radiotherapy is very harmful to the body and should be used with caution in patients with advanced rectal cancer who have poor physical function. In addition, in view of the toxic and side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy on the human body, traditional Chinese medicine can be combined with treatment in the treatment of advanced rectal cancer to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity. For patients with advanced rectal cancer who have a wide range of metastasis, weak physical function, and who can no longer tolerate radiotherapy and chemotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine can be used for conservative treatment. Although the short-term effect is not as obvious as chemotherapy, the long-term effect is good and has a significant effect in improving the quality of life and prolonging survival.

In addition, the improvement of the patient's physical function is also an important factor affecting how long the patient can live in the late stage of rectal cancer. Only with good physical function and strong immunity can the patient resist the development of cancer and tolerate various drug treatments. Therefore, improving immune function and enhancing resistance to tumors is extremely important for patients with advanced rectal cancer. In terms of diet, the intake of fat in the diet should be reduced; the intake of cellulose in the diet should be increased; strong alcohol, spicy, hot, and irritating foods should be avoided. In addition, Chinese medicine with the effect of strengthening the spleen and kidney can also be taken to improve immunity.

Rectal cancer is not a fatal disease. We can see that many patients have controlled the disease through active treatment, so we don’t need to worry too much about this disease. We all know that this disease is caused by many factors, but our lifestyle is also a key factor that we cannot ignore.