Rectal and colon cancer are among the most common types of cancer in the world. Despite its seriousness, it does not receive the necessary attention like other types of cancer. The symptoms of rectal cancer are similar to some medical conditions, so in this article we will shed light on rectal cancer, treatment methods, and how to prevent it. 

What is rectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the large intestine (colon) or rectum, and it accounts for about 10 percent of all cancer cases. The term rectal cancer refers to all types of cancer and malignant tumors that infect, begin and affect the rectum area, which is the tube that connects the colon to the anus.

In general, cancer occurs when some cells begin to divide abnormally and out of control. Colorectal cancer usually develops from non-cancerous growths called polyps that form in the inner lining of the colon or rectum.

It takes years for benign polyps to turn into cancer. 

 Symptoms of rectal cancer

Although colorectal cancer is called a silent tumor; However, there are some symptoms that can be noticed

Early symptoms of rectal cancer 

• Rectal bleeding and blood in the stool: This is a common symptom of rectal cancer. It may not be obvious to the patient, and it is detected by examining occult blood in the stool.
• Changes in bowel movement: The patient feels unusual changes in bowel movement that continue for several days, including diarrhea or constipation.
•  Changes in the nature of the stool: This includes size, shape, and color. Rectal cancer causes the stool to become thin and resemble ribbons, and the color of the stool becomes black or dark brown due to the presence of blood in it.
• Abdominal pain and gas: The patient may suffer from the accumulation of gas and cramps in the intestines. He always feels bloating and pain in the abdomen, which is a common symptom of malignant rectal cancer. 
• The feeling of not emptying the intestine after defecation: where the patient feels that there is something stuck in the intestine even though he defecates, as a result of the pressure of the tumor on the intestinal wall. 
• Weight loss: where the patient loses a large amount of weight suddenly, unintentionally and without justification, due to the patient feeling a loss of appetite and a constant feeling of fullness. 

As the cancer progresses, the symptoms become clear and their severity increases. Other symptoms may appear due to the tumor increasing in size or spreading to nearby organs. 

 Symptoms of advanced rectal cancer:

• Pain when defecating.
• General fatigue and exhaustion.
• Anemia, due to rectal bleeding.
• Significant weight loss.
• Changes in bowel movement persist for more than a month.
• Vomiting.
• Increased feeling of constant need to defecate, even if the patient defecates. 

The previous symptoms may be similar to the symptoms of many other medical conditions, so regular examination helps detect cancer in the early stage, especially for those who have risk factors for rectal cancer.

At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital with Oncology centerWe provide accurate examinations and advanced diagnosis of rectal cancer cases, with a medical team specialized in treating gastrointestinal diseases and tumors.

Causes of rectal cancer 

Doctors have not yet determined the exact cause of rectal cancer. In general, rectal cancer occurs as a result of changes in the DNA of cells in the rectum. These changes in DNA instruct cancer cells to produce too many cells quickly, and cancer cells continue to survive while healthy cells may die, resulting in too many cancer cells.

Complications and risk factors for rectal cancer

Although there is no clear cause for rectal cancer, there are some risk factors that increase the chances of developing it, as follows:

• Increasing age: Most cases of rectal cancer occur in individuals over the age of 50. 
• Family history of the disease: Having a family history of rectal cancer or some genetic mutations increases the likelihood of developing the disease. 
• Unhealthy lifestyles: Maintaining a diet rich in processed meat and containing a small amount of fruits and vegetables, in addition to neglecting exercise and movement, obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, increases the risk of contracting the disease. 

Neglecting treatment leads to the emergence of some complications, including:

• Acute peripheral circulatory failure: The result of excessive bleeding associated with rectal cancer, which appears in the form of symptoms, such as: fatigue, dizziness, nausea, cold sweats, severe blood loss, and a weak pulse.
• Colon obstruction.
• Acute renal failure.
• The spread of cancer to other parts of the body.

Stages of rectal cancer

The severity of the symptoms of rectal cancer varies depending on its stages. There are 5 stages of rectal cancer, the definition of which depends on the extent of the cancer’s growth and spread within the layers of the rectal wall and also on whether it has spread outside the rectum or not.

 The stages of rectal cancer include the following:

• Stage 0: This is the early stage of rectal cancer, in which the cancer is within the mucous membrane of the colon or rectum. It is also called the in situ stage of cancer.
• Stage 1: The cancer has grown and spread to the deeper layers of the rectum, but the cancer has not yet spread to all the layers to reach the rectal wall.
• Stage II: In this stage, the cancer has reached the wall of the rectum, but has not grown to reach nearby lymph nodes.
• Stage 3: In this stage, the cancer has grown to reach nearby lymph nodes, but it has not yet spread to other parts of the body.
• Stage Four: The cancer has spread to other parts and organs of the body, such as the lung, liver, lining of the abdominal cavity, and ovaries.

In some cases, the patient develops rectal cancer again after being treated and cured, and this is considered a new stage of the disease called recurrent cancer. It is worth noting that rectal cancer may return and affect not only the colon or rectum area, but also any other part of the body such as the prostate, breasts, and ovaries. The possibility of cancer returning depends on the stage of cancer that the person had previously and the treatment that was given to the patient. 

Preventing rectal cancer 

Colorectal cancer is one of the types that can be easily prevented through regular screening and early detection. In general, the surest way to reduce the risk of rectal cancer is to undergo a routine and regular rectal examination, especially from the age of 40.

Rectal cancer prevention tips  

• Follow-up and periodic medical examinations. 
• Follow a healthy, balanced diet rich in dietary fiber. 
• Drink plenty of water.
• Do exercise regularly.
• Make sure to reduce your intake of fatty foods and processed meats.
• Weight loss, especially in cases of overweight or obesity.
• Quit smoking.
• Reduce drinking alcohol.
• Reducing levels of psychological pressure, stress and tension 

Early detection of rectal cancer is the main key to prevention and increasing the chances of complete recovery, for the following reasons:

• Ease of treatment, as small tumors detected by early examination are easier to treat and do not require major surgery.
• Increased chances of recovery. 
• Reducing complications and the risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body.

 The most important tests for early detection of rectal cancer 

•  Stool examination: This examination detects the presence of hidden blood in the stool, which is an early sign of rectal cancer or the presence of polyps.
• Colonoscopy: It is the most accurate examination for diagnosing rectal cancer. During the examination, any polyps or small samples of suspicious tissue can be removed for examination under a microscope. 

How is rectal cancer diagnosed?

Because the symptoms of rectal cancer are similar to many medical conditions, especially those affecting the digestive system, detection and diagnosis of rectal cancer depend on special examinations, which include the following: 

• Colonoscopy

The doctor can see the rectal area closely by using a colonoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube connected to a small camera that records live video of the area and displays it on an external screen.

The doctor gently and slowly inserts the colonoscope through the anus until it reaches the rectal area.

• Sigmoidoscope

It is similar to a colonoscopy, but it does not reach the upper parts and is limited to the lower part of the colon only.

• Stool occult blood test

This test can detect the presence of blood in the stool, even if it is in small quantities that cannot be seen with the eye.

• Blood test to detect indicators of cancerous tumor

 Including the carcinoembryonic antigen analysis, known as the blood tumor markers test. 

The test measures the amount of carcinoembryonic antigen in the body, and is particularly used in colon cancer and rectal cancer. 

• Imaging examinations of the abdominal area

These include ultrasound, positron emission tomography, or CT scan. 

Can rectal cancer be completely cured?

Yes;

But complete recovery from rectal and colon cancer depends on many factors, such as:

• The stage or grade of cancer;
• The age and health condition of the injured person.
• The nature and details of cancer.
• The type of treatment chosen.

The cure rate for rectal and colon cancer also varies depending on the factors we mentioned, for example:

• Colorectal cancer localized in a specific part;
• The second stage of rectal and colon cancer has a cure rate of 85%.
• The third stage, in which the cancer reaches the lymph nodes, has a cure rate of 65%.
• While the cure rate decreases if the cancer spreads to other organs, reaching 10-20%.

What is the difference between proctitis and rectal cancer?

In general, the symptoms of both hemorrhoids, proctitis, and rectal tumors are similar, but the symptoms of proctitis may be characterized by the release of mucous secretions from the rectum or pus, and hemorrhoids are characterized by the patient feeling itching or burning at the opening of the rectum. 

Hemorrhoids are known as inflammation and swelling of the anal veins, and are likened to varicose veins. Hemorrhoids arise in two main forms, either inside the rectum or under the skin surrounding the anus.

As for proctitis, it is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the rectum. The inflammation may be chronic and recurrent, and it may also accompany ulcerative inflammation of the large intestine, which is characterized by persistent inflammation of the mucous membrane starting from the anus. Rectal tumors are tumors or cancers that appear in the internal tissues of the rectum in the last part of the colon.

With examination and diagnosis, the doctor can discover the cause of proctitis, while there is no specific cause of rectal cancer. 

Does rectal cancer cause pain when sitting?

In some cases, a patient with rectal cancer feels pain while sitting, but usually the patient does not feel pain from the cancer itself except in cases where the cancer has spread to the tissue outside the rectum. 

How do I know that the rectum is healthy?

One of the common questions is for fear of contracting rectal cancer without realizing it. How do I know that the rectum is healthy? If you feel any pain, the presence of secretions, or notice a change in defecation habits, you should visit a doctor to perform a rectal examination. The examination is performed by the patient lying on his left side with his knees bent. The doctor performs a careful manual examination of the anal area. 

There is also a test to measure the efficiency of the anal and rectal muscles, in which the doctor inserts a small catheter tube through the anus to pass through the sphincter muscles that surround the anus. Then the balloon fixed at the tip of the catheter is gradually inflated, and the nerves and muscles of the rectum and anus begin to press and tighten the balloon. The other end of the catheter is outside the anus and is connected to a device that records the contraction and relaxation of the rectum and anal sphincter muscles.

In conclusion, a rectal cancer patient can be cured, and the recovery rate is high in the stages in which the patient notices the symptoms of rectal cancer early and is treated quickly and completely. 

Al Mousa Specialist Hospital is known for providing distinguished medical services, as it includes a team of specialized doctors and uses the latest technologies in the field of gastrointestinal diseases.

The hospital also adheres to hygiene and sterilization standards, which provides a safe and healthy environment for patients and also ensures the quality of services provided. You can book a consultation immediately by calling the numbers listed on the website.