Rectal cancer is a disease that occurs when cancer cells form in the tissue of the rectum. This eMedTV article discusses rectal cancer in detail, including information about risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease.
The causes of rectal cancer are unknown. This eMedTV resource looks at risk factors that, while not causes of rectal cancer, do increase the chances of developing the disease, such as having a family history of colon or rectal cancer.
Examples of rectal cancer symptoms include diarrhea, constipation, and blood in the stool. This eMedTV article discusses these and other rectal cancer symptoms, such as a change in the frequency of bowel movements, abdominal discomfort, and fatigue.
When making a rectal cancer diagnosis, the doctor will ask questions and conduct a physical exam. As this eMedTV article explains, tests used to make a rectal cancer diagnosis include fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) and digital rectal exams.
Rectal cancer stages are used to express if the cancer has spread, and, if so, how far it has spread. This eMedTV resource defines the six rectal cancer stages -- stages 0-IV and recurrent cancer -- and looks at tests used in the staging process.
Rectal cancer treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these. This eMedTV segment discusses rectal cancer treatment, including information about second opinions, clinical trials, and follow-up care.
A rectal cancer prognosis is a prediction as to the outcome of the disease. This eMedTV Web page discusses factors that affect a prognosis for a person with rectal cancer (such as the stage of the cancer) and includes 5-year survival rates.
Rectal cancer screening, as this eMedTV article explains, is the process of testing for the disease when no symptoms are present. People 50 years of age and older (and those at high risk for the disease) should be screened for rectal cancer.
Rectal cancer research is being conducted to find more effective ways of treating the disease. As this eMedTV article explains, other rectal cancer research is focused on possible new screening tests, such as virtual colonoscopy and a DNA stool test.
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