The risk is higher for people who drink a lot of alcohol, have a family history of colorectal cancer or colon polyps, or have a gene called Lynch syndrome. Some ethnic groups and genetic disorders also increase your risk for rectal cancer. Treatment will depend on the stage of your cancer, as well as its location. It’s important to get regular checkups to detect any changes before they spread.
In stage I, surgery will be the only treatment for rectal cancer. There is a very small chance that the cancer will recur, so chemotherapy and radiation therapy are typically not offered. But in stage II and higher, cancer cells may have spread to the lymph nodes. In stage III and beyond, patients are often given chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery. Adjuvant therapy can also be used after surgery. However, it is not always necessary to undergo chemotherapy for rectal cancer.
Surgery is the primary curative therapy for solid tumors. Advances in diagnostic imaging and population screening have improved the prognosis of rectal cancer. Today, a multidisciplinary team involving surgeons, radiologists, and oncologists can improve outcomes and decrease recurrence rates. MR imaging plays a vital role in rectal cancer preoperative staging, and it is now part of routine clinical care to monitor the effectiveness of postoperative treatments.
The overall survival rate for rectal cancer is about the same as for colon cancer, although it varies by stage and whether the cancer has spread to other organs. If it has spread to other areas, certain higher stage rectal cancers may be cured with surgery. In certain cases, radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be used to shrink tumors. The cancer cells may be removed during surgery or before it. The outcome is dependent on how far the cancer has spread and the extent of penetration.
After the initial treatment, your doctor may prescribe a combination of chemotherapy medications and radiation therapy. These treatments can shrink the tumor and kill any remaining cancer cells. They reduce the risk of cancer spreading or local recurrences. The treatments typically last only a few minutes and are completely painless. Side effects of radiation therapy for rectal cancer include fatigue and minor skin irritation. Most side effects go away soon after treatment. They may require a follow-up visit as well.
While a cancer diagnosis is a traumatic and challenging experience, there are many avenues to access help for patients and their caregivers. Support groups, social workers, and clergy members are all available resources to help patients cope with the disease. Visiting a social worker or a psychiatrist can help you find ways to cope with the diagnosis. You may also want to consult a psychiatrist or a counselor. If you’re having difficulty communicating with your doctor or your loved ones, a social worker can help you navigate the difficult times.
Treatment for rectal cancer depends on the stage of the disease. Early stage cancer is usually curable with radiation, and it’s possible to avoid surgery if it’s detected early. Surgical treatment for colon cancer is similar to that used for rectal cancer. The doctor may recommend colon removal as a preventative measure. But, for some people, rectal cancer is a sign of colon polyps, a condition where polyps form on the lining of the colon.
