Rectal Cancer

Rectal cancer is a malignancy that develops in the rectum, which is the end of large intestine and connects the colon to the anus. Rectal cancer is very closely related and treated similarly as colon cancer and may be referred to together as "colorectal cancer". They have similar risk factors including family history, poor diet, inflammatory bowel disease, obestity, diabetes, history of colon polyps, smoking, heavy alcohol use, prior radiation treatment to abdomen for other cancers, and old age. Stages of rectal cancer use Tumor, Node, Metastasis (TNM) staging as well as Stage Grouping using Stages 0, I, II, III, or IV. Staging systems describe the extent of cancer throughout the body and help doctors determine which treatments to offer. Rectal cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

NOTE: Treatment Options listed below are not all-inclusive. Other treatments may be available. ChemoExperts provides drug information and does not recommend any one treatment over another. Only your Doctor can choose which therapy is appropriate for you.