Surgery is the most common form of treatment, and can often cure CRC if the cancer is caught early enough. Cancerous cells and tissue can also be destroyed with heat via radiofrequency ablation, extreme cold via cryosurgery, or x-rays via radiation therapy. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken orally or intravenously, and can be more systemic (affecting the entire body) or regional (affecting one area) depending on the location of the cancer. Finally, immunotherapy can change the activity of the patient’s immune system, causing it to attack and destroy cancer cells.[1]
What are some of the main medical treatments for CRC?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
The main medical treatments for colorectal cancer (CRC) include surgery, which can cure the disease if it is detected early, as well as radiofrequency ablation, cryosurgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. These treatments can vary in their approaches and target either the cancerous area specifically or affect the entire body.