Rectal Cancer 101 : What Is Rectal Cancer & How It Can Be Treated?

Rectal cancer does not happen overnight. First, polyps appear in the lower six inches of the colon (the rectum). These polyps are precancerous growths that appear as bumps or abscesses. Sometimes they are benign, but other times they mutate into cancer, which begins working its way through the rectal wall, into surrounding lymph nodes and into other organ tissue, wreaking all sorts of havoc. While living a healthy lifestyle helps prevent cancer in general, the only way to effectively combat colon cancer is to get screened consistently after 50 years of age.

The actual cause of cancer of the rectum has not been pinpointed, but certain risk factors have been clearly identified. Age is one, as 90% of colorectal cancer diagnoses come after age 50. According to the American Cancer Society, smokers are six times' more likely to develop colorectal cancer than nonsmokers. Family history also plays a role, for as many as 1 in 5 people with this type of cancer have family members who also were diagnosed with it. Inherited syndromes is at 5%, with inherited syndromes like familial adenomatus polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, and obese individuals are four times' more likely to develop cancer of the rectum, says the American College of Gastroenterology. Perhaps the biggest risk of metastatic colon cancer is the lack of early screening.

To screen for rectal cancer, doctors can insert a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities during a routine visit. They will also usually take a stool sample to perform a fecal occult blood test or DNA test. A sigmoidoscopy sends a flexible tube into the rectum and lower colon to remove polyps for examination under a microscope. Similarly, a colonoscope can also be sent through the entire length of the colon to remove polyps. A barium enema can be administered to take x-rays and a virtual colonoscopy is another way of scanning the colon for growths.

During Stage 0 cancer, colon polyps can be removed during a routine colonoscopy procedure. If Stage I rectal cancer is diagnosed, surgery is the most viable option. If the tumors are small, they can be removed through the anus without an abdominal incision. If the tumors are larger and/or Stage II is reached, then a low anterior resection, an abdominoperineal resection or a colo-anal anastomosis may need to be done. The affected portion of the colon is removed and the healthy portions can be reattached. During late Stage II or Stage III, doctors will often prescribe chemotherapy or radiation therapy to eradicate migrating cells and reduce the chance of recurring cancer. The use of chemo and RT reduce deaths by about 30%.