Rectal cancer is a form of the disease that’s preventable if you undergo regular screening tests. Patients throughout the San Fernando Valley, including West Hills, Tarzana, and the surrounding Los Angeles area, turn to Wellness Oncology & Hematology for rectal cancer screening and treatment close to home. Their specialists have considerable expertise in screening for rectal cancer as well as treating the condition when it’s at a more advanced stage. Call today to schedule a consultation.
Rectal Cancer Q & A
What is rectal cancer?
Rectal cancer is a condition affecting the rectum, which is the last part of your large intestine or colon. Colon cancer is closely related to rectal cancer, and they’re often referred to collectively as colorectal cancer. However, while they share many similarities, colon and rectal cancers require different treatments.
Rectal cancer develops when cells in your rectum mutate and their DNA changes. These abnormal cells continue to multiply, forming a tumor and eventually spreading to other tissues and organs.
What causes rectal cancer?
The reasons why rectal cancer develops aren’t always clear, but there are genetic conditions, called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC, or Lynch syndrome) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), that can cause rectal cancer. If you have a family history of these conditions, it’s worth having a genetic test to see if you’re affected.
There are also risk factors that make your chances of developing rectal cancer higher, including:
- Being over 45
- Being African-American
- Having ulcerative colitis
- Having Crohn's disease
- Family history
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Type 2 diabetes
- Being obese
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol regularly
Colorectal cancer rates are higher in people whose diets are high in red meat and low in vegetables.
What are the symptoms of rectal cancer?
Common symptoms of rectal cancer include:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Dark blood in your stool
- Mucus in stool
- Narrow stool
- Abdominal pain
- Painful bowel movements
- Anemia
- Unexplained weight loss
- Weakness or fatigue
You might also have the feeling that your rectum isn’t empty after a bowel movement.
How is rectal cancer treated?
Routine colorectal cancer screening is one of the most effective ways to detect precancerous polyps and identify rectal cancer in its earliest stages. During a colonoscopy, a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon inserts a flexible tube called a colonoscope into the rectum and colon to examine the lining for polyps or other abnormalities.
Using these images, your surgeon can identify and remove any polyps, which are small, mainly benign growths. Rectal cancer typically develops when one of these polyps turns cancerous, so removing them prevents cancer from taking hold.
Treatment decisions depend heavily on the stage of the cancer, meaning how far it has grown into the rectal wall and whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs. Early-stage rectal cancer may be treated with surgery alone, while more advanced stages often combine chemotherapy and radiation before or after surgery to improve outcomes. Your Wellness Oncology & Hematology team stages your cancer carefully to build the right treatment plan for you.
At Wellness Oncology & Hematology, Dr. Shaye, Dr. Lashkari, and Dr. Ho oversee the successful treatment of rectal cancer with particular attention to your overall wellness.
Call the West Hills office at 818-346-1773 or the Tarzana office at 818-705-3900 to schedule your consultation.