Rectal Cancer

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Rectal Cancer Facts

The colon and rectum make up the large intestine, which take care of part of the body's waste processing function. The first 5 to 6 feet of the large intestine is called the colon, and the rectum makes up the last 6 inches, ending at the anus.

Cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. It often begins as non-cancerous growths called polyps. The most common type of cancer found in the rectum and colon is called adenocarcinoma, which is cancer of the cells that line the inside tissue of the colon and rectum.
 
Colorectal cancer (colon and rectal cancer) is the third most common cancer among adults in the United States. And those death rates from these diseases has decreased in the last 20 years, it is still the third leading cause of cancer death in adults in the U.S.
 

Symptoms

 
Symptoms experienced with rectal cancer can also indicate other problems, and not necessarily cancer. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any symptoms you are concerned about. Sometimes, people with rectal cancer do not show any symptoms. Symptoms to be aware of include:
  • A change in bowel habits
  • Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
  • Bright red or very dark blood in the stool
  • Stools that look narrower or thinner than normal
  • Discomfort in the abdomen, including frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, and cramps
  • Weight loss with no known explanation
  • Constant tiredness or fatigue
  • Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia (low number of red blood cells)

Diagnosis

Rectal cancer is diagnosed after a physical examination and a biopsy, which is removing a small amount of tissue to examine under a microscope. A full-bowel examination, like a colonoscopy, may be recommended by your doctor to see if cancer is present elsewhere in the bowel.

You may also receive blood tests, because cancer often bleeds which may cause you to become anemic.Another blood test detects the levels of a protein called carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). This protein may be elevated in colon and rectal cancers (but not always) and can be checked periodically during the course of yourtherapy or follow up.

Imaging Tests

Imaging tests are used before treatment begins to see if cancer has spread beyond the rectum.

CT scans create a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body with an X-ray machine. A computer then combines these images into a detailed, cross-sectional view that shows abnormalities or tumors. Sometimes, a contrast medium (a special dye) is injected into a patient’s vein to provide better detail. A CT scan can check for the spread of cancer in the lungs, liver, and other organs.

Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of the body. It can show if cancer has spread to the liver or other organs. Endorectal ultrasound is commonly used to determine the depth of penetration of rectal cancer and also the presence of involved lymph nodes, and can be used to help plan treatment;

Chest X-rays show images of inside of the body and can help determine if cancer has spread to the lungs.

Positron emission tomography (PET) scan creates pictures of organs and tissues inside the body using a radioactive substance that is injected into a patient’s body and absorbed by the organs or tissues being studied. This substance gives off energy that is detected by the scanner, which produces the images.