About rectal cancer
Rectal cancer is the cancer of the rectum. The rectum is the last part of the large intestine. It is the final part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that ends at the short, narrow passage leading to the anus and is responsible for storing the stool.
When cancer cells begin to develop and multiply abnormally at the rectum, it is termed rectal cancer. When cancer develops in both the colon and rectum, it is described as colorectal cancer.
Rectal cancer symptoms
The symptoms of rectal cancer vary from the exact location and stage of cancer as well as the overall health and age of the patient. Common rectal cancer signs and symptoms include:
- Change in bowel movements
- Bright red or maroon coloured stool
- Pain in the abdomen region
- Unintended and unexplained weight loss
- Weakness
- A feeling of not being able to empty your bowel completely
Rectal cancer causes
The primary reason behind the development of rectal cancer is attributed to DNA changes. When healthy cells inside the rectum start to divide at an abnormal rate leading to the formation of a tumour, it is known as cancer.
While the primary reason is DNA changes, rectal cancer can develop due to varying risk factors, including:
- Advanced age
- History of polyps
- Personal history of colorectal cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Family history of colorectal cancer
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Radiation therapy
Rectal cancer diagnosis
A range of tests and procedures are done to diagnose rectal cancer. Usually, this cancer is diagnosed when a patient visits for regular screening or when he/she presents with symptoms. Common diagnostic tests and procedures include:
- Colonoscopy
- Tissue biopsy
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Blood tests
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
- CT scan of the chest
Rectal cancer treatment
The treatment protocol for rectal cancer is dependent upon a range of factors. These primarily include the patient’s general health, age, stage and location of cancer. Your treatment measures are decided as per your unique biological markers.
Common treatment measures include:
- Surgery to remove small cancerous tumours from the inside of the rectum
- Surgery to remove some parts of or whole of the rectum
- Surgery to remove rectum and anus
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted drug therapy
- Immunotherapy
