Please complete the inquiry form below. One of our staff will contact you within 1 business day
Colorectal cancer (sometimes grouped under “bowel cancer”) refers to cancers that develop in the colon (large intestine) or the rectum. It begins when cells in the inner lining of these organs start to grow and divide uncontrollably, eventually forming a malignant tumor. Because the colon and rectum are part of the same continuous digestive tract, these cancers share many similarities in how they develop, are detected, and are treated, although the rectum’s location can influence symptoms and treatment planning.
In many cases, colorectal cancer develops gradually over years. Most tumors start as polyps, which are small growths on the lining of the colon or rectum. Polyps are common and are often benign (non-cancerous), and many never become dangerous. The concern is that certain types of polyps, when left in place long enough, can accumulate genetic changes that shift them from a harmless growth into a precancerous lesion and eventually into cancer. This stepwise process is one reason screening is so effective: identifying and removing polyps early can reduce the risk that they will ever progress to a malignant tumor.
Colorectal cancer includes colon or rectal cancer, depending on the location and origin of the cancerous tumors. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world and the second leading cancer killer. The two main types of colorectal cancer are:
Nearly one-third of all colorectal cancers are believed to be caused by genetics and family history. The three most common genetic disorders associated with colorectal cancer are:
Colorectal cancer is staged and classified using the TNM system, which helps doctors understand your cancer.[1] TNM is:
Not everyone will experience symptoms of colorectal cancer. However, some common symptoms include:
Regular cancer screenings are essential for the early detection of bowel cancer in people with no signs or symptoms. The Regeneration Center recommends annual cancer screenings for all persons aged 48 to 80. Tests should include fecal occult blood tests to detect any blood particles (a potential symptom of colorectal cancer) in the stool.
For patients who have bowel cancer symptoms or are not fully diagnosed yet, a comprehensive colorectal cancer screening will be necessary and can be done in Bangkok or outside of Thailand. For patients who have bowel cancer symptoms or are not fully diagnosed yet, a comprehensive colorectal cancer screening will be necessary and can be done in Bangkok or outside of Thailand. This typically starts with a structured clinical evaluation (symptom history, risk factors, and family history), followed by targeted testing based on the level of suspicion. In practice, clinicians aim to answer three key questions as early as possible: Is there a lesion present? Where is it located (colon vs rectum)? And has it spread beyond the bowel wall or to other organs? The combination of findings helps determine whether the issue is more likely to be colorectal cancer, a precancerous condition, or another cause of symptoms (such as hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease, infection, or diverticular disease).
It is also worth noting that “screening” and “diagnostic workup” are not the same. Screening is designed for people without symptoms, while symptomatic patients generally need a diagnostic pathway that moves more quickly toward definitive imaging and direct visualization of the colon/rectum. If bleeding, unexplained anemia, persistent bowel habit changes, unintentional weight loss, or ongoing abdominal pain are present, physicians usually prioritize tests that can identify and biopsy suspicious tissue rather than relying on stool tests alone. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, additional staging studies may be recommended to guide treatment planning and establish a baseline for follow-up care.
Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy exam is a procedure in which a tube with a camera attached to the rectum is inserted into the rectum to examine the entire length of the colon. Colonoscopy is most commonly used to diagnose patients with severe iron deficiency anemia and mild bowel symptoms. This test has both diagnostic and therapeutic uses. It can take tumor biopsies, stop tumor bleeding, and place stents to relieve blockages.
CT Scan or Computed Tomography Colonography – Computed Tomography Colonography, also known as virtual colonoscopy. It provides a less invasive examination for those who cannot undergo a colonoscopy by utilizing 3D images of the large intestine and rectum produced by a computed tomography scanner. However, colonoscopy tests may still be required if a biopsy is necessary. Suppose the CT Scan results lead to a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis or bowel cancer. In that case, additional tests are usually done to assess whether cancer has spread beyond the colon or rectum.[3]
Other checks can include:
There are many treatments available for colorectal cancer, and our treatment plans are customized to you and your cancer. Immunotherapy treatment options for colorectal cancer depend on the cancer type, tumor size, stage, location, health, and treatment preferences. One of the most common traditional treatments for colorectal cancer is surgery, depending on the cancer stage. It can be used with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted therapy. Surgery may be performed with curative intent in many non-metastatic cases, either by removing the polyp or early lesion endoscopically, or by removing the affected segment of the colon or rectum along with nearby lymph nodes when a more extensive operation is required. The exact approach is guided by how deeply the tumor has invaded the bowel wall, whether lymph nodes appear involved, and whether the tumor is located in a part of the rectum where preserving sphincter function is feasible. In some situations, especially for rectal cancer treatment, is sequenced, meaning chemotherapy and/or radiation may be given before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) to shrink the tumor, reduce local recurrence risk, and increase the chance of complete removal, followed by additional therapy after surgery (adjuvant therapy) if pathology shows higher-risk features.
Because colorectal cancer is biologically diverse, clinicians also increasingly use tumor profiling to guide therapy selection. This can include testing for markers such as mismatch repair status (MMR/MSI) and mutations in pathways like RAS/RAF, when relevant, to help determine which targeted agents are more appropriate and whether immunotherapy is likely to be beneficial in a given case. Even in non-metastatic disease, these details can influence risk stratification, the intensity of therapy, and long-term surveillance planning once active treatment is completed.
Cancer Surgery is a surgical procedure used to treat colorectal cancer is a colorectal resection (colectomy). Colon resection surgery involves removing all or part of the colon along with a margin of healthy tissue around the tumor, and in most cases also removing and evaluating nearby lymph nodes to accurately stage the disease. The goal is to remove the cancer completely while preserving as much normal bowel function as possible. The extent of surgery depends on the tumor’s size, exact location, depth of invasion, and whether lymph nodes appear involved on imaging or at the time of operation. After the diseased segment is removed, the surgeon typically reconnects the remaining ends of the bowel (anastomosis) so digestion can continue normally; in some cases, particularly if the bowel needs time to heal or the tumor is low in the rectum, a temporary (or less commonly permanent) ostomy may be required.
Our integrative approach to dealing with cancers uses a variety of techniques alone or as Adjuvant immunotherapies, including:
Our cellular oncology team has over 50 years of experience in cancer and the immune system. The holistic cancer treatment and NK cell protocols we provide offer a unique bio-
Traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy & radiation therapy expose humans to significant side effects and toxicity. Over time, the conventional methods have not changed. Still, the cancer cells themselves have evolved, making them more resistant to the chemicals and rendering these traditional therapies ineffective, especially in later stages of kidney cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. This evolution of cancer stem cells is what leads to recurrence and allows them to proliferate much more aggressively than before the chemo & radiation therapies began decades ago. Some new pharmaceutical-based medications have been developed to effectively target and destroy cancer cells with much lower toxicity, but the payloads often don’t reach the intended targets and are consumed by the patient’s immune system before they can reach the tumors.
A tightly integrated approach in the treatment of bowel cancer, our cancer stem cell treatments continue to improve remission rates year after year. With discoveries in pancreatic cancer research, clinical trials for new protocols to more effectively treat stage 1 – stage 4 colorectal cancer. The Regen Center is a pioneer in regenerative medicine and the application of cutting-edge bioengineering techniques to better manage malignant tumors, helping our patients live cancer-free lives with minimal toxicity and without fear of recurrence.
To determine eligibility and treatment recommendations from our immunotherapy team, we will need to better understand the patient’s needs by reviewing recent histological results, Biopsy scans, blood tests, x-rays, bone marrow sample results, and clinical diagnosis documents from your primary care oncologist.
Being diagnosed with the big “C” does not have to be the last stand. Even if traditional cancer treatment options have reached their limits, our team can still offer options that bring you one step closer to the latest treatment for rectal cancer and living a cancer-free life. We are here to help you and your family get past the disease using safe and research-based alternative treatment options for treating cancer of the bowel. To learn more please contact us today.
[1] ^Siripongpreeda B, Mahidol C, Dusitanond N, Sriprayoon T, Muyphuag B, Sricharunrat T, Teerayatanakul N, Chaiwong W, Worasawate W, Sattayarungsee P, Sangthongdee J, Prarom J, Sornsamdang G, Soonklang K, Wittayasak K, Auewarakul CU. High prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasia in the Thai population: a prospective screening colonoscopy of 1,404 cases. BMC Gastroenterol. 2016 Aug 23;16(1):101. doi: 10.1186/s12876-016-0526-0. PMID: 27553627; PMCID: PMC4995664.
[2] ^Fan J, Shang D, Han B, Song J, Chen H, Yang JM. Adoptive Cell Transfer: Is it a Promising Immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer? Theranostics. 2018 Nov 10;8(20):5784-5800. doi: 10.7150/thno.29035. PMID: 30555581; PMCID: PMC6276301.
[3] ^Alsadhan N, Almaiman A, Pujades-Rodriguez M, Brennan C, Shuweihdi F, Alhurishi SA, West RM. A systematic review of methods to estimate colorectal cancer incidence using population-based cancer registries. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2022 May 19;22(1):144. doi: 10.1186/s12874-022-01632-7. PMID: 35590277; PMCID: PMC9118801.
[4] ^Du W, Frankel TL, Green M, Zou W. IFNγ signaling integrity in colorectal cancer immunity and immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol. 2022 Jan;19(1):23-32. doi: 10.1038/s41423-021-00735-3. Epub 2021 Aug 12. PMID: 34385592; PMCID: PMC8752802.
[5] ^Silva VR, Santos LS, Dias RB, Quadros CA, Bezerra DP. Emerging agents that target signaling pathways to eradicate colorectal cancer stem cells. Cancer Commun (Lond). 2021 Dec;41(12):1275-1313. doi: 10.1002/cac2.12235. Epub 2021 Nov 17. PMID: 34791817; PMCID: PMC8696218.
