The symptoms of rectal cancer are very serious and require expert medical care. Thankfully, the CTCA has specialists who specialize in treating all stages of the disease. Read on to learn more about the rectal cancer symptoms and how to identify them. You may even have rectal cancer right now. But how can you tell if it’s the real deal? Listed below are some of the most common rectal cancer symptoms. Read on to learn more about rectal cancer treatments and symptoms.
The first step in the treatment of rectal cancer is the detection of precancerous growths. A CAT scan can detect most cancer cells outside the rectum. A CT scan and an MRI are also important in staging the disease. MRI scans can show whether the cancer has spread through the wall of the rectum or to nearby structures. An endoscopic ultrasound is another procedure that is sometimes used to detect cancer. Patients should always report any unusual bleeding to their physician.
For stage II or III rectal cancer, adjuvant therapy may be recommended. Adjuvant therapy includes chemotherapy and radiation therapy given before surgery. The aim of these therapies is to shrink the tumor before surgery and minimize the severity of any side effects. The treatment of rectal cancer is more successful when chemotherapy is given before surgery. There are also fewer side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy before surgery. So, if you have a stage II or stage III rectal cancer, you should consider chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The next step in treatment of rectal cancer involves a surgical procedure. Surgery is usually the last resort, but it is not without its complications. The current standard of care for rectal cancer is total mesorectal exenteration (TME). This procedure involves removal of the rectum and perirectal areolar tissues as well as the lateral and circumferential margins. This technique has an excellent local control rate, with a good chance of a favorable outcome.
Surgery is the most common treatment for rectal cancer. It can be performed through an anus or abdominal opening. During this procedure, the cancer, lymph nodes, and a small section of the normal rectum on both sides of the tumor is removed. Very few patients will require a colostomy. However, in some cases, a colostomy may be necessary. Radiation therapy is often combined with chemotherapy.
In one study, doctors diagnosed stage IV rectal cancer. Using the American Joint Commission on Cancer’s TNM staging system, the disease was classified as stage IV. A biopsy showed a mucinous adenocarcinoma in the rectum. In one case, the patient was given palliative chemoradiation for local pain control. After surgery, he developed extensive skin lesions. The diagnosis was confirmed and palliative radiation therapy was instituted to relieve pain.
Surgical resection for rectal cancer is aimed at complete removal of the tumor, although bowel continuity and preservation of the anorectal sphincter is also an important consideration. Surgical resection for rectal cancer patients is available with a variety of methods, including abdominal perineal resection or local excision. The choice of the procedure depends on the stage of the tumor, location of the tumor from the anal verge, and other accommodating features of the pelvis.
