When the rectum is affected by cancer, a doctor will probably want to perform a colostomy. A colostomy is an opening in the abdomen that is used to pass bowel motions through to a bag. Some stomas are temporary, while others are permanent. In about one in 10 cases, a stoma is necessary. A combination of surgery and chemotherapy may be required to treat a patient with rectal cancer. The radiation will shrink the tumor’s size and kill any remaining cancer cells.
Your doctor will use a variety of tests to diagnose rectal cancer. A physical examination can reveal a mass or lump in the rectum. A fecal occult blood test may detect small amounts of blood in your stool. A full colonoscopy is another option, which involves viewing the entire colon. If your doctor sees a mass or other abnormality in the rectum, they may recommend a biopsy.
When it comes to a tumor in the rectum, the symptoms usually include an altered bowel habit, bright red blood per rectum, and pain. Symptomatic disease may not present symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body. Symptomatic treatment depends on where the tumor has spread and what organs have been affected. However, a physical examination should focus on signs of ascites, as well as a digital rectal exam for a fixed mass. A family history is also relevant, as there are inherited patterns that influence colorectal cancer.
Endorectal ultrasound is another diagnostic method for rectal cancer. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the rectum and the surrounding tissues. This diagnostic test does not involve radiation and can reveal the extent of disease in patients with rectal cancer. In addition, it may identify a patient’s tumor by examining the rectum’s lymphatic system. The scan may also help determine whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
The first step in removing a tumor is to diagnose the type of tumor. A surgeon will first decide what stage of cancer the patient has. The cancer may be in the upper or lower rectum. If it is in the upper or middle rectum, the surgeon will remove the cancer and attach it to the colon using a procedure known as an anterior rectum resection. The surgeon may also create a small pouch in the colon to replace the rectum’s function in collecting fecal matter.
If the symptoms are not present, a doctor may choose to perform a colonoscopy to diagnose the cancer. This procedure involves inserting a thin, camera-like tube into the colon and viewing the interior of the rectum. The doctor may also remove polyps or other abnormal areas, or test a sample of tissue for cancer. This procedure is often recommended for those who have no family history of colorectal cancer.
