However, there are still differences between the two types of cancer. The former shows a better response to antitumor drugs than the latter. A study by Lee et al. compared the survival rates of patients with colon and rectum cancers. Interestingly, the survival rates of patients with rectum cancers were significantly higher than those of patients with colon cancer.
When the cancer cells in the rectum develop DNA mutations, they continue to live even after healthy cells die. Eventually, these accumulating cancer cells form a tumor and invade nearby healthy tissue. They may even break away and spread to other parts of the body. Most rectal cancers are not completely understood. However, doctors know that cancerous cells can travel far from the rectum and cause damage to the rest of the body.
The age at which a person develops rectal cancer increases. In general, men are slightly more likely to develop the disease than women. However, Black individuals are statistically at an increased risk of developing rectal cancer. The reasons for this are not fully understood, but may include family history. There are other risk factors, including certain health conditions and diseases. People who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease or adenomatous polyps have a higher risk.
In addition to surgery, patients may receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy before undergoing surgery. Radiation therapy works by destroying cancer cells and preventing them from dividing or growing. Chemotherapy, on the other hand, may boost the patient’s immune system by giving it drugs that can make the body better able to fight off cancer cells. Additionally, targeted drug therapy may be used together with chemotherapy. This drug therapy targets a specific abnormality in the cancer cells to kill them.
Most cases of rectum cancer are adenocarcinoma. Polyps may be the first sign of rectal cancer, and the polyp may be removed during a colonoscopy. The doctor may use colonoscopy to monitor the patient’s response to treatment. In addition to surgery, a patient may also undergo active surveillance, which involves close monitoring of the patient through regular digital rectal examination, MRIs, or colonoscopy.
In addition to detecting and predicting rectal cancer, researchers are studying the effect of a drug on survival. They will use serum biomarkers to determine which drug may be best suited for a patient’s type of cancer. This can help doctors determine the best treatment for the patient. While both types of cancer are deadly, they can help patients live a longer life. It may even be possible to treat them earlier and save their lives.
