Colorectal cancer treatment and diagnostics abroad

Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor of the colon or rectum and one of the most common cancers in the world. It usually develops from polyps over many years, so screening and early diagnosis give high chances of cure.

Below are clinics abroad that treat colorectal cancer: compare cancer centres, doctors and prices for diagnostics and treatment.

Risk factors

• age over 50 (although cases in younger people are rising);
• colorectal cancer or polyps in close relatives, hereditary syndromes (Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis);
• chronic inflammatory bowel disease — ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease;
• excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle;
• a diet high in red and processed meat and low in fibre;
• smoking and alcohol.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer

Early stages often cause no symptoms. Later the following may appear:

• blood in the stool or dark stools;
• a change in bowel habits — constipation, diarrhoea, a feeling of incomplete emptying;
• abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating;
• weakness and iron-deficiency anaemia without an obvious cause;
• unexplained weight loss.

These symptoms often have other causes, but they need investigation, including a colonoscopy.

Diagnosis

• Colonoscopy with biopsy — the main test: it shows the tumor, allows tissue sampling and removal of polyps;
• chest and abdominal CT — to look for metastases;
• pelvic MRI — for rectal tumors;
• PET-CT — in unclear cases and before surgery for metastases;
• the CEA tumor marker — to monitor treatment;
• molecular tumor tests (RAS, BRAF, microsatellite instability) — they guide the choice of targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

Treatment abroad

• Surgery — removal of the affected part of the bowel with lymph nodes, often laparoscopic or robot-assisted. Very early tumors can sometimes be removed endoscopically.
• Chemotherapy — after surgery when lymph nodes are involved, or as the main treatment in advanced disease.
• Targeted drugs and immunotherapy — depending on the tumor's molecular profile.
• Treatment of metastases — removal or ablation of liver or lung metastases offers some patients long-term remission.
• Radiotherapy — mainly for rectal cancer.

The outlook depends on the stage: when the tumor is confined to the bowel wall, most patients are cured; even with metastases, modern treatment significantly prolongs life.

Why patients choose treatment abroad

• robotic and laparoscopic surgery with faster recovery;
• molecular testing for personalised treatment;
• experience in liver metastasis surgery;
• decisions made by a multidisciplinary tumor board.

See clinics in the oncology and gastroenterology sections.

Send a request with your test results — Clinics Direct coordinators will obtain an oncologist's opinion and treatment prices from several clinics free of charge.