Rectal Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment

Rectal cancer is a type of cancer that grows in the rectum, the last part of the intestine. Oftentimes, rectal and colon cancer are collectively referred to as "colorectal cancer." The treatment for rectal cancer differs from that of colon cancer, despite both of the conditions being alike in some ways, because the rectum is situated in a tight space, close to other organs and structures. In this regard, the best surgical oncologist in Kolkata has shed light on the diagnosis and treatment of rectal cancer.

Diagnostic tests

Common screening tests conducted by oncologists to detect rectal cancer are as follows:

Colonoscopy: This procedure involves using a colonoscope with a video camera attached at its tip to examine the inside of your colon and rectum.

Biopsy: For a biopsy, a small piece of tissue is extracted using a colonoscope for testing. These tissue samples are then sent to a laboratory where pathologists examine them further and look for signs of malignancy. 

Treatment

According to the best oncologist surgeon in Kolkata, the type of treatment depends on the severity and location where the cancer has spread. The overall health of the patient is also taken into consideration. The following operations are conducted to treat rectal cancer:

Removing small polyps from the inside of the rectum: This is done during a colonoscopy. Surgical tools are passed to extract the cancer along with a portion of the surrounding healthy tissue.

Removing all or part of the rectum: Eliminating all or a section of the rectum is needed in cases where the cancer has spread to areas that are quite distant from the anal canal. This procedure, known as low anterior resection, involves removing the rectum along with nearby tissue and lymph nodes. Importantly, this approach maintains the anus, allowing waste to exit the body in the usual manner.

Removing the rectum and anus: In cases where rectal cancers are situated close to the anus, completely removing the cancerous growths without harming the muscles that control bowel movements may not be feasible. In such instances, a procedure called abdominoperineal resection (APR) is performed. This operation involves the removal of the rectum, anus, and a portion of the colon, along with nearby tissue and lymph nodes.

Doctors conduct diagnostic tests to understand a patient's prognosis and determine the course of treatment accordingly. Reach out to the best surgical oncologist in Kolkata if you have been experiencing weakness or narrow stool accompanied by abdominal pain to undergo a thorough diagnosis to rule out the possibility of rectal cancer.