Rectal Cancer

Rectal Cancer is an article that aims to give you all the information you do not know about rectal cancer and more. We kindly shared the main headings with you;

One type of cancer that starts in the cells lining the rectum—the last segment of the large intestine before the anus—is called rectal cancer. It is classified as a kind of colorectal cancer and usually starts as a polyp, which is a growth of tissue and progresses slowly over several years.

Similar to other forms of colorectal cancer, rectal cancer typically begins as tiny, noncancerous polyps on the rectum’s inner lining. Certain polyps have the potential to develop into cancer over time. These malignant cells can proliferate, infiltrate neighboring tissues, and possibly travel to other areas of the body—a process known as metastasis—if they are not found or treated.

The risk can be raised by some variables. These risk factors might raise the possibility of rectum cells undergoing malignant alterations. The following are some of the main risk factors:

• Age: Rectal cancer is more common in those over 50, with most instances being diagnosed in this age group. Still, it can also happen to younger people.
• Genetics and Family History: The risk may be increased if a close relative—a parent, sibling, or child—has had colorectal cancer or a certain form of polyp. Recessive nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome) and familial adenomatous polyposis are two more genetic diseases that increase the risk of rectal cancer.
• Personal History of Polyps or Colorectal Cancer: People who have previously had precancerous growths known as adenomatous polyps, or colorectal cancer, are more likely to get rectal cancer.
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): The risk of rectal cancer is increased by long-term illnesses that damage the rectum, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. The risk increases with the length of time and severity of the inflammatory illness.
• Lifestyle and Nutritional Factors: A diet heavy in processed and red meats, poor in fiber, and deficient in fruits and vegetables may increase the risk of rectal cancer. Increased risk is also linked to obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.

In many cases, rectal cancers don’t cause symptoms at all. However, some people may notice certain warning signs. The symptoms may include:

• Rectal bleeding
• Blood in your stool (poop)
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• A sudden change in your bowel habits
• Narrow stool
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss

The key to diagnosing and managing the risk is regular screening, lifestyle adjustments (including following a healthy diet, staying at a healthy weight, and exercising frequently), and early identification through screenings like colonoscopies. Managing and lowering the risk requires speaking with medical professionals to evaluate specific risk factors and to talk about the best preventive actions.

To confirm the diagnosis, your healthcare professional may conduct certain tests if they suspect you may have rectal cancer. These examinations could consist of,

• Colonoscopy: This test allows you to see inside your colon and rectum by using a long tube equipped with a tiny camera.
• Biopsy: Your medical professional removes a little piece of questionable tissue and sends it to a laboratory for examination.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: This imaging procedure combines many X-ray images of your body to provide a thorough picture of your organs, tissues, and bones.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRIs employ magnets and radio waves to create images of the inside of your body, as opposed to X-rays.
• Positron emission tomography, or PET scan: Before the scan, your doctor may urge you to consume a specific dye containing radioactive tracers. (The dye may occasionally be injected or breathed.) Diseased areas are highlighted by the dye.

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Five phases are identified in rectal cancer classification. The size and presence of metastases of the rectal cancer tumor will determine your diagnosis:

• Stage 0: The surface of the rectal lining contains cancer cells.
• Stage 1: The growth of the tumor is below the lining and may have penetrated the rectal wall.
• Stage 2: The growth of the tumor has penetrated the rectal wall and may have spread to the tissues around the rectum.
• Stage 3: The tumor has spread to certain tissues outside the rectal wall and the lymph nodes next to the rectum.
• Stage 4: The tumor has extended to distant organs or lymph nodes.

Surgery

Surgery is one of the most popular treatments for rectal cancer because it removes cancer cells. Several surgical methods are available depending on your particular requirements:

• Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS): With transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS), your surgeon uses a special scope that is introduced via your anus to remove tiny tumors from the rectum. If your tumor is tiny, localized, and unlikely to spread, this treatment is advised.
• Low anterior resection: The rectum may need to be removed entirely or in part in cases of more advanced rectal cancer. The purpose of preserving the anus is to allow waste to exit your body naturally.
• Abdominoperineal resection (APR): It might not be able to remove cancer that is close to the anus without injuring the muscles that regulate your bowel movements. In this instance, the rectum, anus, and a portion of the colon may be removed by your surgeon. The next step is to have a colostomy so that waste may exit your body. (Your surgeon makes an incision in your belly called a stoma during a colostomy procedure. You then attach the end of your colon to the aperture and sew it there. Waste is gathered in a bag attached to the stoma when it exits your body.)

Chemotherapy

In chemotherapy, medications are used to either kill or inhibit the growth of cancer cells. It can be given as palliative care for advanced-stage cancer or as adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery to eradicate any cancer cells that may have resurfaced. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is used to reduce the tumor.

 

Radiation therapy

To kill cancer cells, high-energy X-rays or other particles are used in radiation therapy. It can be administered internally (brachytherapy) or externally (external beam radiation), and it is frequently used to shrink tumors before surgery or to lower the chance of cancer returning after surgery.

 

Chemoradiotherapy (Chemoradiation)

This medical procedure blends radiation with chemotherapy. When treating locally advanced rectal malignancies, it is frequently used to reduce the tumor before surgery or, in certain situations, as an alternative to surgery.

 

Targeted Therapy

Drugs used in targeted therapy specifically target aberrations present in cancer cells. To stop the growth and spread of cancer cells, they may be used in conjunction with other treatments, especially for advanced or metastatic rectal cancer. Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy medications assist the immune system in identifying and eliminating cancerous cells. Immunotherapy is being studied in clinical trials for its possible advantages, although not being utilized as frequently in rectal cancer as in certain other tumors.

 

A multidisciplinary team of medical experts, including radiation oncologists, surgeons, and oncologists, decides on the course of treatment and therapy order based on several parameters. Treatment plans are customized according to the unique features of the malignancy as well as the general health of the patient. Treatment for rectal cancer aims to eradicate the disease, stop it from coming back, and enhance the patient’s quality of life. Often, this entails a mix of these medicines. Treatment for rectal cancer must also include managing side effects and providing routine follow-up care to check for recurrence.

Adopting specific lifestyle modifications and going through tests can help lower the risk of having rectal cancer. While age and family history are unchangeable risk factors, there are a few ways to help reduce the risk:

• Healthy diet: A balanced diet that is low in red and processed meats and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fiber is recommended for optimal health. Refrain from drinking too much alcohol and restrict your intake of high-fat foods.
• Frequent Physical Activity: Keep a healthy weight and exercise frequently. On most days of the week, try to get in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise.
• Refrain from Tobacco Use: There is a connection between a higher risk of colorectal cancer, particularly rectal cancer, and smoking and other tobacco use. This risk can be lowered by giving up smoking.
• Limit Alcohol drinking: Research has shown that a higher risk of colorectal cancer is linked to excessive alcohol drinking. Consume alcohol in moderation or abstain from it completely.
• Screening and Early Detection: As advised by your healthcare practitioner, get routine screenings for colorectal cancer, including rectal cancer. Colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies are examples of screening exams that can identify precancerous polyps or early-stage cancer, enabling prompt treatment.
• Handle Chronic Conditions: To lower your chance of acquiring rectal cancer, closely collaborate with your healthcare professional to manage and control any inflammatory bowel illnesses (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
• Consider Aspirin Use (Under Medical Supervision): According to certain research, taking aspirin regularly may lower your risk of colorectal cancer. Talk to your doctor about this choice as there may be dangers and side effects associated with using aspirin.
• Genetic Counseling and Testing: To discover potential genetic mutations and provide individualized preventive methods, individuals with a significant family history of colorectal cancer or particular genetic disorders may benefit from genetic counseling and testing.

Although taking these precautions may lower the chance of getting rectal cancer, prevention is not a given. The key to treating and lowering the risk of rectal cancer is to get regular screenings, lead a healthy lifestyle, and talk to medical specialists about any personal risk factors. Screenings for rectal cancer are still essential for early detection and treatment of the disease at its most curable phases.

People may decide to receive treatment in Turkey for several reasons, including:

• High-quality Medical Facilities: Turkey is renowned for having hospitals and other medical facilities that meet international standards, as well as for being contemporary and well-equipped. Modern equipment and cutting-edge technologies are available in many Turkish hospitals to diagnose and treat a wide range of illnesses, including rectal cancer.
• Experienced Healthcare Professionals: Rectal cancer therapy is a specialty of Turkey’s highly skilled and experienced medical experts, who include surgeons, radiologists, endocrinologists, oncologists, and radiologists. Numerous medical professionals in Turkey have studied and trained in esteemed universities across the globe.
• Cost-effective Healthcare: Compared to many Western nations, Turkey is renowned for offering top-notch medical care at comparatively reduced expenses. Patients seeking reasonably priced, high-quality healthcare options—including therapy for rectal cancer—are drawn to this cost-effectiveness.

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