What is Rectal Cancer? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
When it comes to rectal cancer, understanding the disease is the first step toward fighting it.
Rectal cancer, a type of colorectal cancer affects the lower part of the colon, and while it shares characteristics with other gastrointestinal cancers, its treatment and progression can be quite different.
In this blog, we’ll explore the rectal cancer symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
What is Rectal Cancer?
Rectal cancer is a slow-growing cancer that develops in the rectum, which is the final section of the large intestine before the anus.
This form of cancer typically begins as a polyp or an abnormal growth on the inner lining of the rectum that can become cancerous over time.
What are the Signs of Rectal Cancer?
Rectal cancer can develop without noticeable symptoms for years. However, some people may experience warning signs, including:
- Changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of stools)
- Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
- Abdominal discomfort, like frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness or cramps
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue or weakness
- A feeling of incomplete bowel movements
- Dark or black stools
If any of these colorectal cancer symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, it’s important to consult an oncologist for further evaluation. Early detection is important for the successful treatment of rectal cancer.
What are the Causes of Rectal Cancer?
The exact rectal cancer cause is not always clear, but several factors can increase the risk, including:
- Older age, with the average age of diagnosis being 63.
- Having a family history of rectal cancer.
- Being overweight or obese.
- Lack of exercise and activity.
- Having a diet of red and processed meat.
- Overindulgence in alcohol and smoking.
- Several health conditions, including inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
How is Rectal Cancer Diagnosed?
Rectal cancer is diagnosed through several tests:
- Colonoscopy allows direct examination of the rectum and colon, with biopsies taken for analysis.
- Imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans help determine the cancer’s stage and whether it has spread.
- Blood tests such as Carcinoembryonic Antigen may be taken to look for signs of rectal cancer.
- Fecal tests can detect hidden blood in the stool, suggesting potential issues.
- Endorectal ultrasound may be used to assess the tumor’s depth and check for lymph node involvement.
Regular colorectal cancer screening is crucial, especially for those at higher risk, to ensure early detection and more effective treatment.
Stages of Rectal Cancers
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What are Different Rectal Cancer Treatment Options?
This is often the primary treatment for rectal cancer and focuses on removing the cancerous tissue along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure all cancer cells are eliminated.
The type of this colorectal cancer surgery depends on the cancer’s location and stage:
- Local Excision: Used for very early-stage cancers or polyps, where the tumor is removed through the rectum without major abdominal surgery.
- Abdominal-Perineal Resection (APR): This procedure involves removing the rectum and anus, and a part of your colon. It’s typically performed if there’s a tumor near your anus they can’t remove without damaging the muscles that control your bowel movements.
- Low Anterior Resection (LAR): If the tumor in your rectum is large, the surgeon may do LAR, removing all or part of your rectum.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy treatment uses drugs to kill or inhibit the growth of cancer cells throughout the body.
This treatment is often combined with radiation therapy and used before an operation to shrink a large cancer so that it’s easier to remove with surgery. After surgery, chemotherapy helps eliminate any remaining cancer cells and lowers the risk of recurrence.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy employs high-energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells.
For rectal cancer, it is commonly combined with chemotherapy. Radiation can be used either before surgery to shrink the tumor for easier removal or after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy uses medicines that target specific chemicals within cancer cells. By blocking these chemicals, targeted therapy can cause cancer cells to die.
This approach can be used alongside with other therapies to improve outcomes and manage cancer more effectively.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy boosts the body’s immune system to better recognize and attack cancer cells.
Immunotherapy can offer significant benefits, particularly in cases of advanced rectal cancer where traditional treatments may have limited efficacy.
Consult Dr. Rajeev Kaushal for Rectal Cancer Treatment in Dubai
For comprehensive care and advanced treatment of rectal cancer, consult Dr. Rajeev Kaushal, one of the leading colon rectal surgeons in Dubai.
Dr. Rajeev offers unmatched expertise and compassionate care, utilizing the latest techniques to deliver optimal outcomes. His holistic approach combines advanced procedures with personalized care plans designed to meet each patient’s specific needs.