Outstanding cancer care requires an unparalleled team. Our specialists in medical oncology, chemotherapy, radiation medicine, pathology and radiology all work and consult together to deliver you the most effective treatments.

This common cancer treatment uses medications to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be oral (in pill form), injected, intravenous (IV) or topical (applied to the skin). 

Radiation therapy for colon and rectal cancers is often used in conjunction with chemotherapy. We specialize in tumor downstaging, which uses innovative chemoradiation therapy programs to shrink tumors before surgery. Learn more about our services by visiting our Radiation Oncology website.

Often colon and rectal cancers can be treated with surgery alone. UK HealthCare uses minimally invasive and robotic surgery whenever possible. Our surgeons offer rectal resection and reconstruction, and we specialize in nerve-preserving surgery for rectal cancer to preserve sexual function.

In advanced cases of colon or rectal cancer, you may receive medications that target specific genes and proteins in cancer cells.

At UK Markey Cancer Center, patients with colon and rectal cancer can be treated with an advanced form of chemotherapy called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). This heated chemotherapy treatment, also known as a chemotherapy bath, is delivered directly to the abdomen during surgery.

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NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center - A Cancer Center Designated by the National Cancer Institute

Markey Cancer Center is designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center – a distinction that recognizes our commitment to accelerating precision cancer research and care to patients. We are the first and only NCI-Comprehensive Cancer Center in Kentucky, and one of 57 in the nation.

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