Treatment of rectal cancer

Rectal cancer is a malignant disease of the terminal part of the intestine, which is accompanied by the development of a tumor with atypical cells on the mucous membrane of the organ. The disease can progress for a long time without symptoms, which leads to late diagnosis and complicates treatment. Therefore, people after 40 years are recommended to undergo regular preventive examinations and diagnostics. With early detection, modern medicine makes it possible to defeat cancer and achieve recovery.

Why cancer develops is not known for certain. Scientists have identified factors that increase the likelihood of cancer.

Risk factors include:

• genetic predisposition - detection of cancer or intestinal polyps in close relatives;
• history of cancer - malignant breast or genital tumors in women;
• dietary features - consumption of large amounts of high-calorie and quickly digestible foods, red meat with a lack of fresh vegetables and fruits, a deficiency of fiber, vitamins D and C (it is believed that such a diet leads to stool retention in the intestine and prolonged exposure to carcinogenic substances on its walls);
• intestinal diseases - colitis, Crohn's disease, adenoma, polyps (it is believed that adenoma and intestinal polyps often degenerate into cancerous tumors);
• smoking and frequent use of alcoholic beverages;
• low physical activity;
• overweight;
• diabetes;
• age over 40 years – bowel cancer is diagnosed mainly in older people.

Specialists often associate the development of rectal and colorectal cancer with intestinal polyposis. When polyps are in the intestines for a long time, epithelial dysplasia can develop, which can subsequently lead to the formation of malignant cells.

If there are one or more risk factors, patients are recommended to monitor their bowel health and undergo regular preventive examinations. This is most important for patients over 40 years of age.

In the early stages, the symptoms of cancer are mild and almost imperceptible. Most often, they appear with the growth of the tumor and the development of complications. The earliest sign of the disease is considered to be bloody stools. They may appear irregularly, but this is an alarming symptom that you should pay attention to.

Also, in the early stages of cancer, there may be constipation, bloating, intestinal colic, a feeling that you cannot completely empty your intestines. Some symptoms may disappear after defecation.

All these manifestations are nonspecific, that is, it is impossible to make a diagnosis based on them alone. For this, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis.

If you have symptoms of bowel cancer, you should seek advice from a proctologist or oncologist. During your appointment, the doctor will examine the symptoms of the disease and your medical history. The specialist will clarify when the first signs appeared, whether there are other chronic diseases, and whether cancer has been diagnosed in any of your close relatives. The doctor will also conduct a rectal examination (anoscopy) and a digital examination, and for an accurate diagnosis, he will prescribe instrumental examinations and laboratory tests.

Rectal cancer is diagnosed using:

• anoscopy - a visual examination performed by a doctor during a consultation;
• digital examination - allows you to detect hemorrhoids, anal fissures, polyps and tumors at a distance of 10 cm;
• transrectal ultrasound of the rectum;
• X-ray or computed tomography (CT) of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space;
• colonoscopy - an endoscopic examination of the rectum;
• sigmoidoscopy – endoscopic examination of the rectum and distal sigmoid colon using a sigmoidoscope;
• biopsy with histological analysis – taking a tissue sample (performed during endoscopic examination) and its analysis to determine the type of neoplasm;
• immunohistochemical analysis – performed in case of confirmation of the malignant nature of the tumor to determine its characteristics.

Also sometimes a hemoculture test (fecal analysis for occult blood) and blood tests for tumor markers are prescribed. They are actively produced by cancer cells. For rectal oncology, the markers CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) and CA 19-9 are specific. An increase in the level of these tumor markers may indicate the development of a tumor or the appearance of metastases.

It should be borne in mind that a blood test for tumor markers is not a reliable diagnostic method. It is used mainly as an additional method. Often, in cancer patients, the results of the tests turn out to be negative, and in healthy people - positive.

The doctor develops an examination program for each patient individually. He takes into account the symptoms of the disease, general health, age and other factors. Based on this and the expected diagnosis, the specialist determines which studies will be the most informative, and which ones do not need to be performed.

The effectiveness of cancer treatment directly depends on the time of diagnosis. Therefore, you should seek help at the first symptoms of the disease. Modern technologies allow you to recognize a tumor that is a few millimeters in size.

The following treatment methods are used in oncology:

• surgical treatment;
• radiation therapy;
• chemotherapy;
• targeted therapy;
• immunotherapy;
• symptomatic therapy (prescribed drugs to relieve cancer symptoms and side effects of treatment).

These methods are used in a comprehensive manner to achieve maximum effectiveness. The treatment program depends on the stage of oncopathology: tumor size, germination in different layers of the intestine, the presence of metastases in lymph nodes and other organs.

In stages I and II of oncology, as a rule, surgery is first performed to remove the tumor. It is performed endoscopically or laparoscopically. After surgery, the patient may be prescribed chemotherapy or radiation therapy to prevent relapse.

In stage III cancer, radiation and/or chemotherapy are sometimes prescribed before surgery. The course can last from a week to 1.5 months. Then, during the operation, the surgeon removes the tumor and, if necessary, part of the intestine, as well as metastases that have spread to the regional lymph nodes.

The most difficult is the treatment of stage IV cancer, when distant metastases appear. The treatment program is developed by oncologists individually in each case. For example, it may consist of pre- and postoperative courses of chemotherapy or primary removal of the tumor and metastases with subsequent therapy.

With stage I and II cancer, with proper treatment, patients have a high chance of recovery. At stage IV of the disease, remission occurs less often, and the main goal of treatment may be to prolong the patient's life and improve its quality.

Most experts associate the development of rectal cancer with the appearance of polyps. These are benign neoplasms that do not cause clinical symptoms. They can only be detected during an examination, for example, a colonoscopy. Therefore, patients at risk and people over 40 are advised to undergo annual preventive examinations by a proctologist.

Recommendations for the prevention of rectal cancer:

• perform preventive examinations annually;
• treat all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in a timely manner;
• follow a balanced diet;
• engage in physical activity;
• maintain a normal weight;
• refrain from bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol).

What provokes the development of cancer is not known for certain. Therefore, the most reliable way to protect yourself is to regularly visit a proctologist and undergo examinations after 40 years of age. Early diagnosis of cancer allows you to achieve recovery in 90% of cases.

Oxford Medical has a modern oncology department and a high-tech surgical hospital. The clinic has new expert-class equipment that allows for thorough diagnostics, as well as medical and surgical manipulations of any degree of complexity.

We employ some of the best oncologists and surgeons in Kyiv and Ukraine with many years of experience who are familiar with all modern methods of cancer treatment, including targeted and immunotherapy. By contacting Oxford Medical, you can be sure that you are in safe hands.

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