Bowel cancer (sometimes called colorectal cancer) is a general term for cancer in the large intestine, and it is the third most common cancer worldwide. Around a third of bowel cancer patients have rectal cancer, which is specifically cancer that develops in the rectum, the final section of the large intestine.
How does rectal cancer develop?
Rectal cancer develops when mutations in the cells of your rectum accumulate and cause the cells to divide uncontrollably. Most rectal cancers begin as a growth called a polyp - sometimes these are benign or can be removed before they become cancerous, but in other cases they go undetected and go on to form cancer.
Is rectal cancer curable?
Rectal cancer is often curable - if it is diagnosed early it can usually be treated successfully with surgery. However, like all cancer types, the earlier rectal cancer is detected, the higher the chance of survival.
International cancer research like ours is vital to help find new ways to cure advanced rectal cancer so that more people worldwide have more time with their loved ones.
Who is more likely to develop rectal cancer?
We don’t fully understand the exact causes of rectal cancer, but we do know that there are certain risk factors that increase your chances of developing it.
Age
Although there is a rise in younger people being diagnosed with rectal cancer and other bowel cancers, most patients are over 50 and around 4 in 10 people diagnosed are over 75.
Diet
Eating too much red and processed meat is associated with a higher risk of rectal and other bowel cancers. Eating too little fibre also increases your risk.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol increases your risk of several types of cancer including rectal and other bowel cancers.
Smoking
Smoking increases your risk of several types of cancer including rectal cancer.
Inflammatory bowel conditions
Certain conditions including Crohn’s disease cause inflammation in the bowel that can increase your risk of rectal cancer.
Genetic syndromes
Conditions like Lynch syndrome are associated with an increased risk of rectal cancer.
Family history
If you have a close relative with bowel cancer then you have an increased risk.
What are the symptoms of rectal cancer?
Early rectal cancer can be hard to detect and symptoms often overlap with other digestive conditions. Please speak to your doctor if you have any symptoms you are worried about.
Symptoms for rectal cancer include:
- Rectal bleeding which may make stools appear dark maroon or bright red
- Changes in bowel habits
- Feeling that the bowel does not empty fully
- Abdominal discomfort
- Unexplained weight loss
- Tiredness
How is rectal cancer diagnosed?
Rectal cancer is sometimes found during a bowel cancer screening. Alternatively, if your doctor suspects you have rectal cancer based on your symptoms they will refer you for tests which can clarify what is going on in your body.
Tests used to diagnose rectal cancer include:
- Colonoscopy: A long flexible tube called a colonoscope with a camera on the end is used to look for signs of cancer.
- Biopsy: A small sample of your rectum is removed and studied under a microscope.
If you are diagnosed with rectal cancer, CT and MRI scans can be used to determine more about the stage of the disease.
How is rectal cancer treated?
Rectal cancer is most commonly treated with surgery but the type of surgery will depend on the stage of the cancer and where it is located. A total mesorectal excision, the most common type of surgery for rectal cancer, removes the part of the rectum that contains the cancer as well as a border of heathy tissue.
Radiotherapy can be used before surgery to shrink the rectal cancer and make it easier to remove, and chemotherapy is sometimes used after surgery to reduce the risk of rectal cancer returning, or given to patients with advanced rectal cancer to slow down its growth and relieve symptoms.
Why can rectal cancer be complex to treat?
Like all operations, surgery for rectal cancer can cause side effects and some patients require a stoma. And the pelvic area is narrow and crowded, making it particularly challenging to operate in.
For patients with advanced rectal cancer surgery is sometimes not even an option. More research is vital to help rectal cancer patients around the world live well for longer.
What areas of rectal cancer still need research to improve survival?
Rectal cancer can go unnoticed since the symptoms may be confused for other conditions - or it may not cause symptoms at all. And, because it is much easier to cure if it is detected early, more research is needed to help find new ways to detect rectal cancer early.
Research is also helping find alternatives to surgery. Contact x-ray brachytherapy (CXB) uses low dose x-rays to treat the cancer and research suggests this could be a way to improve life for rectal cancer patients and remove the need for surgery. All new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat rectal cancer start with discovery research like ours.
Your rectal cancer FAQs:
How is Worldwide Cancer Research supporting progress in rectal cancer?
We are a cancer research charity that funds science into any type of cancer. Thanks to our Curestarters, we are able to support researchers around the world investigating new cures for bowel cancers including rectal cancer.
Rectal cancer is particularly hard to treat if it spreads to other parts of the body. Dr Inbal Wortzel is exploring the ‘messages’ sent from cancer cells to other parts of the body, and how these might make it easier or harder for cancers to spread to those areas. Understanding how cancer spreads and how to stop metastasis is crucial to help cure more people with rectal cancer.
Is rectal cancer the same as colon cancer?
Bowel cancer is the general term for cancer in the large intestine. It is also sometimes called colorectal cancer. Rectal cancer is a type of bowel cancer and specifically refers to cancer that develops in the rectum. Colon cancer is another type of bowel cancer that specifically develops in the colon.
How common is rectal cancer in the UK?
Bowel cancer is the 4th most common cancer in the UK and the second most deadly. Around 1 in 3 patients with bowel cancer have rectal cancer.
Can rectal cancer spread to other organs?
Yes, unfortunately rectal cancer can spread to other organs. When it does so, rectal cancer becomes harder to cure
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