Rectal Cancer: Don’t ignore the early signs !
Rectal cancer occurs when cancer cells grow in the rectum. It is sometimes confused with colon cancer, but they are different and have different treatments. Rectal cancer can be treated, and as with many different cancers, there are different stages of rectal cancer. The sooner the cancer is detected and the sooner it can be treated, the better the prognosis for the patient. Most types of rectal cancer can be cured.
Causes of Rectal Cancer
The cause of rectal cancer is unknown. When a cell’s DNA becomes damaged, it can become cancerous. The cancer cells grow and can start to kill the surrounding tissue. Certain things can make people susceptible to rectal cancer, including:
- Genetics
- Poor Diet
- Old Age
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Sedentary Lifestyle
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Radiation therapy
- Previous cancer
Symptoms of Rectal Cancer
The symptoms of rectal cancer are often confused with other disorders and health problems, which can cause a sufferer to hold off on seeking medical attention. The symptoms can also vary based on the severity and the stage of cancer. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Change in Bowel Habits
- Blood in Stool
- Mucus in Stool
- Narrow Stool
- Abdominal Pain
- Anemia
- Painful Bowel Movements
- Fatigue
- Unexplained Weight Loss
- Weakness
- Pain in The Rectum
- Chronic Constipation or Diarrhea
Diagnosis of Rectal Cancer
Often, rectal cancer is diagnosed when doctors are trying to determine the source of a patient’s symptoms. The most common type of test used to diagnose it is a colonoscopy. A narrow, flexible tube with a light and a camera is placed in the patient’s rectum to see what the inside looks like and to determine if there are any problems. If something shows up during the colonoscopy, the doctor might do a biopsy to check for cancerous cells or tumors. Other tests that doctors use to diagnose rectal cancer include:
- Complete Blood Count Tests
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen
- CT Scan
- MRI
Staging of Rectal Cancer
The stage of rectal cancer is determined after all the tests are completed. The treatment options will depend on the stage of cancer.
Stage 1: Cancer cells are present in the mucosal and muscular layers of the rectum. It has not spread to lymph nodes.
Stage 2: Cancer cells have spread to nearby organs but not to lymph nodes.
Stage 3: Cancer cells have spread to three or more lymph nodes.
Stage 4: Cancer has spread to the peritoneum or other organs of the body.
Treatment of Rectal Cancer
Rectal cancer can be treated. Treatments are based on the stage of cancer, the exact location, and the patient’s overall health. There are several treatment options available. Sometimes, more than one treatment is used. The most common treatments include:
- Surgery: Surgery can remove any tumors found on or in the rectum.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy targets cancer cells and kills them.
- Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-powered radiation to kill cancer cells.
- Palliative Care: Teams of nurses and doctors work to make sure the patient is comfortable during cancer treatments. It might be offered alongside other types of treatment. In the later stages of the disease, it might be the only option available for the patient.
Prognosis of Rectal Cancer
The prognosis for patients suffering from rectal cancer depends on the stage of cancer when it is diagnosed and how well the patient responds to treatment. In many cases, it is curable. Rectal cancer can return after treatment and remission. Cancer can also appear in other parts of the body after rectal cancer has been treated. Rectal cancer can be terminal, especially if it is not detected before it reaches the later stages.
Resources:
- https://www.fascrs.org
- https://gi.org/
- AJCC Cancer Staging Manual 8th edition 2017.
