Colorectal Cancer Care in NJ | Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center

Colorectal Cancer Treatment in New Jersey at Hackensack Meridian Health

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, following breast and lung cancer. At John Theurer Cancer Center, our team of colorectal cancer specialists utilizes the latest treatments, including robotic surgery and clinical trials, to provide advanced care. Our primary goal is to cure your cancer while minimizing side effects, ensuring you maintain an optimal quality of life.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Early detection is key in treating colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends starting colorectal cancer screenings at age 45, or earlier if you have a family history or other risk factors. Screenings may include stool tests to detect blood or a colonoscopy to examine the inside of the rectum and colon.

Learn more about colonoscopy services at Hackensack Meridian Health.

Colorectal Cancer Screening - Patient Videos

Patient Centered Care

At John Theurer Cancer Center, we prioritize compassionate, patient-centered care throughout your cancer journey. Our support services, including nutritional counseling, pain management, and rehabilitation, are designed to enhance the quality of life for you and your family. Our goal is to provide comprehensive care from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship, ensuring that you receive the best possible support every step of the way.

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Types of Colorectal Cancer We Treat

The most common type of colon cancer, found in the mucus-producing glands of the intestine. Adenocarcinoma often starts as a benign polyp that can become cancerous if untreated.

These tumors form in the neuroendocrine cells that regulate hormones and function as nerve cells within the intestine.

GIST develops in the interstitial cells of Cajal, a rare occurrence in the colon and rectum.

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer occurs when cancer spreads from the colon or rectum to other areas of the body through the lymphatic or circulatory system.

Surgical Options for Colorectal Cancer

If diagnosed with colorectal cancer, our experts provide cutting-edge surgical techniques, including robotic surgery and minimally invasive surgery. Our team of fellowship-trained colon and rectal surgeons is experienced in performing complex procedures with the goal of minimizing recovery time and discomfort.

Our surgeons use the da Vinci Xi® Surgical System to perform procedures like colectomy and rectal resection with smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery.

In some cases, patients may require open surgery based on the location or spread of the tumor. Our team is skilled in intestinal reconstruction to avoid permanent ostomies whenever possible.

For cancers located on the surface of the rectal wall, tumors can sometimes be removed using a scope, helping patients avoid a colostomy.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Colorectal Cancer

Using a precision medicine approach, we analyze your tumor to identify genetic mutations, allowing us to target the specific molecular drivers of your cancer with personalized therapies.
For patients with genetically mutated colorectal cancer, immunotherapy may be available to enhance the immune system's ability to detect and destroy cancer cells.

We offer state-of-the-art radiation therapy precisely tailored to your tumor to protect surrounding healthy tissue and minimize side effects.

If standard treatments are ineffective or your cancer has metastasized, clinical trials may provide new hope. At John Theurer Cancer Center, we conduct more clinical trials than any other cancer center in New Jersey, offering access to innovative treatments before they become widely available.

If colorectal cancer spreads to other organs, such as the liver, we provide advanced therapies designed to treat metastases:

  • Interventional Radiology: Treatments like radioembolization with yttrium-90 or chemoembolization deliver anticancer medication directly to tumors.
  • Radiofrequency Ablation: This technique uses intense heat to destroy tumors in hard-to-reach areas.
  • Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy: High doses of radiation are precisely targeted to metastatic tumors for effective treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

The center offers a comprehensive range of advanced treatments, including cutting-edge surgical options like minimally invasive and robotic surgery to minimize recovery time. Non-surgical treatments include chemotherapy, precision radiation, immunotherapy for certain genetic mutations, and targeted therapies that are personalized by analyzing the tumor's specific genetic makeup.
According to the American Cancer Society guidelines mentioned, you should start regular colorectal cancer screenings at age 45 if you are at average risk. You may need to begin screening earlier if you have a family history of the disease or other significant risk factors.
For metastatic colorectal cancer, the center offers advanced therapies and clinical trials. Specialized treatments for cancer that has spread to other organs include interventional radiology procedures (like radioembolization), radiofrequency ablation (using heat to destroy tumors), and stereotactic body radiation therapy, which delivers high doses of radiation precisely to the metastatic tumors.
Robotic surgery, using systems like the da Vinci Xi®, is a minimally invasive surgical technique used for procedures like colectomy (colon removal) and rectal resection. The primary benefits for the patient include smaller incisions, which typically lead to less pain, reduced discomfort, and a faster recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.
Clinical trials are research studies that test new and innovative treatments before they become widely available. At John Theurer Cancer Center, a clinical trial may be recommended as a treatment option if your cancer does not respond to standard therapies or if it has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized). This provides access to cutting-edge care for patients with advanced disease.
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