Rectal Cancer that begins in the colon is called a colon cancer, while cancer in the rectum is known as a Rectal Cancer. Cancers that affect either of these organs may be called colorectal cancer.
While Rectal and Colon Cancers are similar in many ways, their treatments are quite different. This is mainly because the rectum sits in a tight space, barely separated from other organs and structures. The tight space can make surgery to remove Rectal Cancer complex.
Rectal Cancer can be found during a screening test for colorectal cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Rectal Cancer include :
- Abdominal Pain
- Blood in the Stool
- Weight loss for no unknown reason
- Weakness or Fatigue
- Feeling very Tired
- Abdominal Discomfort-Frequent gas pains, cramps, and others
Six Types of Standard Treatment are used :
- Surgery
- Radiation Therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Active Surveillance
- Targeted Therapy
- Immunotherapy
Risk Factors For Rectal Cancer include :
- Lifestyle Factors.
- Family history of Colorectal Cancer.
- Smoking
- Radiation Therapy for Previous Cancer
- Too little Exercise
- Diabetes
- Drinking Alcohol
- Obesity
These are the most Common Screening Tests :
- Colonoscopy.
- Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) Colonography.
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Stool DNA Tests.
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and fecal immunochemical test (FIT).
