Rectal Cancer
Rectal Cancer: Understanding the Disease and Available Treatment Options
I want to give you a thorough introduction to rectal cancer as a general surgeon at Medicana Health Group. Rectal cancer is a severe and potentially fatal disorder that affects many people. I'll go through rectal cancer's warning signs and symptoms, its causes, and the many diagnostic and treatment choices that are accessible to you in this section.
Symptoms of Rectal Cancer
In its early stages, rectal cancer may manifest with few, if any, visible symptoms. The following are some typical signs of rectal cancer:
• One of the most prevalent symptoms is blood in the stool, ranging from brilliant red to tar-like dark.
• A change in bowel habits, such as persistent diarrhea, constipation, or the perception that a bowel movement was incomplete.
• Abdominal pain: Some sufferers of rectal cancer may feel pain or discomfort in their abdomens.
• Unexplained weight loss: Rectal cancer might be detected if there is a sudden drop in weight without any dietary or exercise modifications.
• Fatigue: The spread of rectal cancer to other body areas may cause rectal cancer patients to feel unusually weak or tired.
• Anemia: Rectal cancer can result in colon bleeding, which can cause anemia.
It's crucial to remember that other illnesses can also cause these symptoms. If you're exhibiting any of these symptoms, seeing a doctor for a correct diagnosis is vital.
Diagnosing Rectal Cancer
Rectal cancer is usually diagnosed by a combination of tests and examinations to establish the presence of the disease and quantify its severity.
The following are some typical techniques used to diagnose rectal cancer:
• Physical examination: To look for any anomalies in the rectum and anus, a physical examination may involve a digital rectal exam (DRE).
• Stool examination: Stool examinations can be performed to look for blood, which may indicate rectal cancer.
• Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is an endoscopic treatment that enables a physician to see inside the colon and rectum to look for any tumors or abnormal growths.
• Barium Enema X-ray: This procedure involves administering a liquid containing barium rectally and colonically. It highlights irregularities in the colon and rectum and is employed to find rectal cancer.
• Biopsy: A small tissue sample is removed from the rectum for laboratory examination during a biopsy. This is a crucial stage in the diagnostic process since it is the only way to identify rectal cancer positively.
• Imaging exams: Imaging exams like CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans can be used to evaluate the size and location of rectal cancer and find out if it has spread to other body sites.
It is crucial to speak with a doctor for a correct diagnosis and to determine the best course of therapy.
Treating Rectal Cancer
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery are frequently used to treat rectal cancer. The stage of the tumor, its location, and the patient's general condition all play a role in the treatment decision. The objectives of treatment are to eradicate the cancer, stop it from spreading, and maintain regular bowel movements.
• Surgery: The most popular form of treatment for rectal cancer is surgery. The surgical options could be any of the following, depending on the cancer's stage and location:
a. Local excision: This surgery removes the tumor and a thin margin of surrounding healthy tissue.
b. Partial colectomy: During this treatment, the cancer and a portion of the colon are removed.
c. Abdominoperineal resection (APR): This procedure involves removing the rectum, anus, and a portion of the lower colon.
• Radiation therapy: To kill cancer cells, radiation therapy uses high-energy rays. It can be used before or after surgery to reduce the malignancy or eliminate any cancer cells that may still be present.
• Chemotherapy: Drugs are used in chemotherapy to kill cancer cells. To reduce the malignancy or eliminate any leftover cancer cells, it may be administered before or after surgery.
The treatment program will be customized for each patient and their particular cancer. To choose the best therapy, it's crucial to consult carefully with a specialist experienced in rectal cancer management.
Why Choose Medicana for Rectal Cancer?
Rectal cancer may be a challenging and overwhelming experience, and at Medicana Health Group, we understand this. Because of this, we provide a thorough approach to treating rectal cancer that combines cutting-edge technology, knowledge, and patient care.
We are prepared to treat foreign patients, tourists, and expats in Turkey who are seeking treatment for rectal cancer thanks to our multilingual personnel and global patient services.
Call us at +90 850 4601010 or email [email protected] if you have questions or concerns about rectal cancer or want to make an appointment. We are here to help you at every step of the journey.
