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Rectum Cancer
The second leading cause of cancer deaths.
Rectum cancer isn't something most of us think about on a daily basis but that doesn't mean we should ignore it. Advanced rectal cancer could cause serious damage to your body and become fatal if it goes without treatment.
Cancer that's allowed to progress without treatment can spread to other parts of the body such as the:
- liver
- lungs
- and even your brain
That's why we should all take the time to have a rectal cancer screening done on a regular basis. It might be inconvenient, but it could save our lives.
What Is Rectum Cancer?
Rectal cancer and colon cancer have many features in common. However, they are treated differently. Both cancers begin in the digestive system. Rectal cancer is close to the anus and colon cancer is higher in the large intestine.
Both kinds of cancer start in the inner layers of tissue and grow outward through some or all of the outer layers. The stage of the cancer depends on how far it has spread through these layers. Treatment is easier when cancer is detected early. Cancer of the colon and rectum is the third leading cause of cancer in men and the fourth leading cause in women.
Rectum cancer usually begins as a polyp. This is a piece of tissue from the rectal lining that grows out into the center of the rectum. It isn't always cancerous but it may be.
Removing polyps early will keep them from turning into tumors called adenocarcinomas. This is why it's important to have a rectal exam as part of your annual physical. Your doctor can find polyps and other growths early and treat or remove them to prevent problems later. When harmless polyps are left alone, they can become cancerous.
Rectal Cancer Symptoms
There are some common symptoms of rectal cancer, but not every patient will have the same ones. This is because this cancer can manifest in several different ways. If you have any of the symptoms described below, talk to your doctor right away.
- Rectal pain or bleeding - If you see blood mixed in with your stool, you should talk to your doctor right away. It can be a sign that you have cancer or some other problem. This bleeding may be hard to find and can require special tests to determine what's really wrong.
Some people become pale and tired or seem to be anemic. They are really suffering from rectal bleeding and should see their doctor immediately. A lab test can determine what the problem really is and help you get the treatment you really need.
- Nausea or vomiting - Large tumors can block the rectum. This can cause pain, nausea and other digestive problems.
- Constipation or trouble eliminating - A big enough tumor in the rectum can prevent you from eliminating properly. You may feel like there is still something inside after a bowel movement. Eliminating may become painful.
- Unexplained weight loss - Digestive problems caused by tumors may result in loss of weight. But a large tumor may make it look like you are gaining weight. See your doctor if your stomach sticks out more and you aren't any heavier. There could be a real problem.
Treating Rectal Cancer
The way your doctor will treat rectal cancer will depend on the progression of the cancer. This is determined by:
- how deep the tumor is
- whether the lymph nodes have become cancerous
- whether the cancer has spread to other locations.
Stages
- In Stage I the tumor is only in the first or second layer of the rectal wall.
- In Stage II the tumor has penetrated more deeply, but no lymph nodes are involved.
- In Stage III the lymph nodes have become cancerous.
- In Stage IV the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Stage IV cancer is almost impossible to cure.
Treatment for localized rectal cancer requires removing all cancerous cells and preventing them from coming back. Earlier stages can be cured with surgery without much risk of the cancer returning.
Patients in Stage I will not require chemotherapy in most cases. If the tumor is in Stage II or III, treatments include radiation and chemotherapy.
These are often done before surgery to shrink the tumor so it can be completely removed. This treatment lasts about six weeks and more chemotherapy may be done after the surgery to make certain that the cancer is gone.
Stage IV tumors are treated only using chemotherapy. This type of cancer can't be cured right now but treatment can extend your life. New medications make it possible for patients to live longer and have happier lives.
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- Diverticulitis - Diverticulitis can give some symptoms similar to colon cancer, but only your doctor can really diagnose this disease. Diverticulitis results when small pouches in the digestive tract wall become inflamed. Diverticulas form when pressure inside the colon forces...
- Sleeping Problems - Sleeping problems are one of the most common side effects of colon cancer. If you have this problem try to build yourself up to your bedtime by doing relaxing activities such as getting a massage or taking a long bubble bath. Having adequate support will also help by clearing your head and releasing...
- Colon Cancer Causes Loss of Appetite - Colon cancer causes loss of appetite for various reasons. Even though you don’t feel like eating it is important that you keep up your food intake. Not doing so can cause you to lose valuable strength. Some techniques that might help you are to have someone else do the cooking and...
- Colorectal Cancer Symptoms - Knowing what the colorectal cancer symptoms are may save your life. Being educated on this subject is vital because it is the second most common cause of cancer related death in the entire United States. There are a number of factors that will determine whether or not you are at risk of developing colon cancer or rectal cancer some include...
- Symptoms of Rectal Cancer - Rectal and colon cancer symptoms are very similar and may not be obvious until after years of cancerous growth. The medical techniques to detect and remove rectal colon cancer polyps have greatly reduced the number of people who suffer from symptoms of rectal cancer. Some warning signs include...
- Rectum Cancer - What is the difference between colon cancer and rectal cancer? First off both cancers begin in the digestive system but rectal cancer is close to the anus and colon cancer is higher in the large intestine. Some symptoms of rectal cancer include...
- Left Side Stomach Pain - Left side stomach pain is a condition that can be harmless or it can mean something serious is going on. If left side abdominal pain means you have cancer, the doctor will do a colonoscopy. If cancer is found, surgery is done on the affected area and all...
- Bowel Cancer Symptoms - Bowel cancer refers to cancer arising out of the large colon or large bowel. Sometimes there are no bowel cancer symptoms and it is only through a colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy or a barium enema that cancer is discovered. If you see blood in the stool...
- Signs of Bowel Cancer = There are often no signs of bowel cancer in the early stages of the disease. This is partly why doctors are recommending that people at the age of fifty or older get a screening colonoscopy and get one at least every ten years after that.
