Chemotherapy, radiation, and other therapies for colorectal cancer
Your doctor may recommend chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy targeted therapy, and/or other therapies to treat colorectal cancer.
Treatment therapies
Your doctor may recommend chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and/or other therapies to treat your cancer.
How is my type of treatment determined?
Treatment for colorectal cancer depends on several factors including the:
- location of the tumor
- stage of the cancer
- tumor pathology
- overall health of a patient
Every case is different. Your best resource is your doctor, who knows the specific details about your diagnosis.
Common therapies for colorectal cancer
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is treatment with cytotoxic drugs that are injected into a vein (IV) or pills taken by mouth. These drugs travel through the bloodstream and destroy cancer cells.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. Rectal cancer is treated with radiation more frequently than colon cancer.
Immunotherapy
Cancer immunotherapy, also known as immuno-oncology or biological therapy, is a form of cancer treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to help prevent, control, and eliminate cancer.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy uses drugs to target and "turn off" specific genes and proteins that help cancer cells grow.
Liver-directed therapy
There are a number of therapies that use chemotherapy, HAI therapy, ablation, radiation, cryotherapy, heat, and other approaches to reduce or remove liver metastases.
HAI therapy
Hepatic Artery Infusion (HAI) therapy is an FDA-approved cancer treatment that delivers medicine into the liver through the hepatic artery.
More about treatment
ChemotherapyTop resources
2025 ASCO update: Six big studies
The 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting featured several important studies that could change how colorectal cancer is treated, including a pivotal study for BRAF V600E patients.
Finding hope and healing with the Alliance
Discover hope and healing through Angela and Marleigh Cummins' powerful journey after losing Rodney to colorectal cancer. Learn how their partnership with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance turned grief into advocacy, raising awareness and fostering community support to take on colorectal cancer.
Hope in the Details: How Heather’s Biomarker Opened New Treatment Paths
After a stage IV colorectal cancer diagnosis, Heather’s biomarker test revealed a critical mutation — opening the door to clinical trials and new hope.