How do I know if I have a rectal tumor?

You can suspect a rectal tumor when symptoms appear. The most prominent of these signs is frequent anal bleeding, especially if there is blood mixed with the stool or if it is dark red in color, or if you notice a sudden and persistent change in the stool, such as diarrhea or unexplained constipation, or a feeling of incomplete emptying after defecation. You may also feel pain in the lower abdomen or rectum, and you may notice unexplained weight loss or general weakness. Also, these symptoms may be the result of other conditions such as irritable colon.

Is rectal cancer cured?

Yes, rectal cancer can be cured, especially if it is discovered in its early stages. The chances of treatment are high using surgery to remove the tumor. Sometimes auxiliary treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy are used before surgery or after surgery to increase the chances of success. In advanced stages, complete recovery may not be possible, but treatments help reduce the tumor, control its extent, and improve the quality of life. The cure rate also depends on many factors such as the stage of the cancer, the body’s response to treatment, as well as the patient’s general health condition. This is why early detection and regular medical follow-up are the most important factors.

How do I know if I have a rectal tumor?

You can suspect a rectal tumor when symptoms appear. The most prominent of these signs is frequent anal bleeding, especially if there is blood mixed with the stool or if it is dark red in color, or if you notice a sudden and persistent change in the stool, such as diarrhea or unexplained constipation, or a feeling of incomplete emptying after defecation. You may also feel pain in the lower abdomen or rectum, and you may notice unexplained weight loss or general weakness. Also, these symptoms may be the result of other conditions such as irritable colon.

Is rectal cancer cured?

Yes, rectal cancer can be cured, especially if it is discovered in its early stages. The chances of treatment are high using surgery to remove the tumor. Sometimes auxiliary treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy are used before surgery or after surgery to increase the chances of success. In advanced stages, complete recovery may not be possible, but treatments help reduce the tumor, control its extent, and improve the quality of life. The cure rate also depends on many factors such as the stage of the cancer, the body’s response to treatment, as well as the patient’s general health condition. This is why early detection and regular medical follow-up are the most important factors.

How do I know if I have a rectal tumor?

You can suspect a rectal tumor when symptoms appear. The most prominent of these signs is frequent anal bleeding, especially if there is blood mixed with the stool or if it is dark red in color, or if you notice a sudden and persistent change in the stool, such as diarrhea or unexplained constipation, or a feeling of incomplete emptying after defecation. You may also feel pain in the lower abdomen or rectum, and you may notice unexplained weight loss or general weakness. Also, these symptoms may be the result of other conditions such as irritable colon.

Is rectal cancer cured?

Yes, rectal cancer can be cured, especially if it is discovered in its early stages. The chances of treatment are high using surgery to remove the tumor. Sometimes auxiliary treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy are used before surgery or after surgery to increase the chances of success. In advanced stages, complete recovery may not be possible, but treatments help reduce the tumor, control its extent, and improve the quality of life. The cure rate also depends on many factors such as the stage of the cancer, the body’s response to treatment, as well as the patient’s general health condition. This is why early detection and regular medical follow-up are the most important factors.

What are the causes of rectal cancer?

Medical articles

What are the causes of rectal cancer?

Medical articles

Reviewed by: Dr. Ahmed Antar, Consultant in Hematology and Oncology

The causes of rectal cancer are the third most common type of cancer that affects men and women globally, and although we do not fully understand the reasons that lead to it, neglecting to follow a healthy lifestyle and practicing many wrong behaviors increases the probability of its occurrence, so let us learn about its most important causes, and how it can be diagnosed and treated.

What is rectal cancer?

It is a cancer that affects the rectum, which is a link between the colon and the canal leading to the anus, and does not exceed several centimeters in length.

It affects both men and women, and may appear between the ages of 20-30 years. It is also one of the most common types of cancer.

What are the stages of rectal cancer?

The stages of rectal cancer development are divided into five, which include:

Zero phase: It is a stage before the growth of cancerous tumors, and it remains within the lining of the rectum.
المرحلة الأولى: The cancer begins to grow and move from the lining of the rectum to the intestinal wall, but it has not spread to the lymph nodes or beyond the musculature.
المرحلة الثانية: This stage is divided into 3 smaller steps, and the tumor remains under control and has not reached the lymph nodes, so its removal is one of the effective treatments.
المرحلة الثالثة: The development and spread of the disease increases, and it spreads to the lymph nodes.
المرحلة الرابعة: The spread of cancer cells does not stop to the lymph nodes, but rather extends to the rest of the body’s organs and cells, such as the liver, lung, spleen, and others.

Therefore, the importance of early detection appears here. The earlier the disease is detected, the greater the chances of treating it effectively.

What are the symptoms of rectal cancer?

Symptoms may vary from person to person based on the stages of cancer, and include:

A change in the mechanism of bowel function, as the patient may suffer from frequent diarrhea or constipation.
Anemia without an obvious cause
Large intestine obstruction.
Significant weight loss.
Bleeding from the rectum.
Persistent pain in the abdominal area.
Weakness and general fatigue.

What are the causes of rectal cancer?

لم يتوصل العلماء إلى أسباب سرطان المستقيم الرئيسية إلا أن هناك بعض العوامل التي قد تزيد من فرص حدوث المشكلة، وتشمل:

الطفرات الجينية: قد تحدث بعض الطفرات والتغيرات في الحمض النووي لخلايا المستقيم، ما يؤثر على نمو هذه الخلايا بصورة أكبر من المعتادة، وتتكون الخلايا والكتل السرطانية.
المتلازمات الوراثية: قد تحدث بعض الطفرات لأسباب وراثية ومن أشهرها، متلازمة لينش، وتعرف أيضا بسرطان القولون والمستقيم HNPCC.

السن: تزداد احتمالية الإصابة بسرطان المستقيم مع التقدم في العمر، خاصة في الأشخاص الذين تزيد أعمارهم عن 50 عامًا.
التاريخ الوراثي: عند إصابة أحد أفراد العائلة بهذه المشكلة الصحية، تزداد احتمالية حدوثها.
بعض الأمراض المزمنة: مثل السكري، ومرض الالتهاب المعوي المزمن.
السمنة وزيادة الوزن.
التدخين.

If you have one of the above signs or symptoms, it is recommended that you undergo regular examination for early detection and treatment of the problem.

Don't wait for symptoms to start – prevention starts with the first step. Oncology center At Al Mousa Hospital to conduct early examinations and detect any early signs of rectal cancer.

How is rectal cancer diagnosed?

A group of medical tests is used to diagnose rectal cancer, including:

Proctoscope: The endoscope is used to detect the presence of any cancerous masses in the rectum.
Biopsy: If cancerous masses are discovered inside the rectum through the endoscope, a sample of that mass is taken for analysis and to determine the type of that tumor.

When cancer is confirmed, some additional tests are conducted to determine what stage the disease has reached, so that the doctor can develop the appropriate treatment program. The most important of these tests are:

Complete blood count (CBC).
CT scan
MRI.
Blood test to measure organ function.

You can also see “Early symptoms of leukemia”

What are the methods of treating rectal cancer?

A combination of different treatments is usually used to eliminate rectal cancer, including:

العلاج بالجراحة: These cancer cells are eliminated through surgical removal. This method depends on the size of the tumor, the location it is located, and the stage the cancer has reached.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy may be used after surgery to get rid of any remaining cancer cells.

Radiotherapy: Radiotherapy relies on high-energy sources such as protons and X-rays, and is often used with chemotherapy to eliminate cancer cells and reduce their size.

It may also be used to reduce pain resulting from surgical procedures.

Immunotherapy: It is a drug treatment used to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer cells.

The use of both radiotherapy and chemotherapy is one of the most commonly used treatment methods to reduce the size of the tumor, prevent its spread, and facilitate its removal.

What are the ways to prevent rectal cancer?

There are a set of tips and steps that help avoid rectal cancer, including:

Follow a healthy diet rich in nutritional care and vitamins that the body needs.
Exercising regularly.
Quit smoking.
Conduct periodic examinations, especially when there is a family history, to ensure that there are no cancerous masses.

In conclusion, until now we have not been able to understand the main causes that lead to rectal cancer, but we have strong evidence of the most important wrong habits and behaviors that must be avoided to ensure that one does not contract the disease. We also advise on the necessity of performing regular examinations to ensure that there are no problems, especially if there is a family history.

Rectal cancer is not considered one of the fastest-spreading cancers compared to other types, but it spreads gradually if it is not detected and treated in a timely manner. It usually begins within the lining of the rectum and grows slowly, but with time it penetrates the wall of the rectum and moves to nearby lymph nodes, then to various other organs such as the liver or lungs. In addition, the speed of spread of rectal cancer varies depending on the grade of the tumor, the type of cancer cells, and the body’s response. Therefore, early diagnosis, regular follow-up, and periodic examinations play a major role in reducing the spread of the disease.

Medical references

Rectal cancer – mayoclinic

What is rectal cancer – clevelandclinic