Some people are more likely to have cancer of the colon than rectum, and there are various treatments available to fight it. Surgery is the most common method, and radiation is an option as well. If surgery does not remove the cancer completely, you may receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy before surgery. The purpose of this therapy is to kill cancer cells left behind after the surgery, and the goal is to decrease the chance of the cancer returning.
If your symptoms indicate a rectum tumor, your doctor may perform an x-ray to see how deep it is. This test uses sound waves to determine the depth of a tumor, and it can also reveal whether nearby lymph nodes are involved. It’s also important to get a stool sample, as this can indicate the presence of cancer. While a rectum cancer biopsy isn’t always necessary, it’s a good idea to get a sample for further analysis.
If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it will need to be removed. Most patients with rectal cancer undergo surgery. Local excision, a surgical procedure that removes only the cancerous part of the rectum, can be effective for smaller tumors. Stage 0 and I disease can be treated with surgery. Larger tumors, though, may require resection and anastomosis. An operative colostomy may be required if the bowel cannot be reconnected.
While a small percentage of rectal cancers have a genetic cause, the genetic factors that increase a person’s risk for this disease are not a guarantee. There are many factors that affect your risk for rectal cancer, but your health history is a major factor. For example, smoking and alcohol consumption are known to increase the risk of colorectal cancer. The earlier you get diagnosed, the sooner you can treat the cancer.
Screening is the most effective method of early detection. Your doctor will want to check if you have any abnormal polyps in your colon. You may also want to undergo a colonoscopy, which allows the doctor to see any tumors. In case of polyps, you can also choose to have them removed. Screening can help you avoid colorectal cancer and identify pre-cancerous lesions.
Regular exercise and eating a low-fat, high-vegetable diet are other methods. Your doctor may use a thin, tube-like instrument called a colonoscope to see inside your colon. A biopsy may be done if it is visible. If it is, cancer cells can be studied in the lab. A CT scan, or CAT scan, is another type of test that can help diagnose rectum cancer. The CT scan is similar to an x-ray but takes more detailed pictures of your body. It can also tell whether cancer has spread.
