Colorectal Cancer Also called: Colon cancer, Rectal cancer Summary The colon and rectum are part of the large intestine. Colorectal cancer occurs when tumors form in the lining of the large intestine. It is common in both men and women. The risk of developing colorectal cancer rises after age 50. You’re also more likely to get it if you have colorectal polyps, a family history of colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, eat a diet high in fat, or smoke. Symptoms of colorectal cancer include Diarrhea or constipation A feeling that your bowel does not empty completely Blood (either bright red or very dark) in your stool Stools that are narrower than usual Frequent gas pains or cramps, or feeling full or bloated Weight loss with no known reason Fatigue Nausea or vomiting Because you may not have symptoms at first, it’s important to have screening tests. Everyone over 50 should get screened. Tests include colonoscopy and tests for blood in the stool. Treatments for colorectal cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination. Surgery can usually cure it when it is found early. NIH: National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute NIH MedlinePlus Magazine 6 Common Cancers – Colorectal Cancer Colorectal Cancer: Conversation with Katie Couric Colorectal Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment New Ways to Detect Colon Cancer Preventing, Detecting and Treating Colorectal Cancer Encyclopedia Abdominal CT scan Abdominal exploration Barium enema Bloody or tarry stools Colonoscopy Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) Flushable reagent stool blood test Large bowel resection – discharge Pelvic (between the hips) radiation – discharge Pelvic CT scan Pelvis MRI scan Radiation enteritis Stool guaiac test Total abdominal colectomy Total colectomy or proctocolectomy – discharge Total proctocolectomy with ileostomy Understanding your colon cancer risk Virtual colonoscopy Array Abdominal exploration – slideshow Abdominal radiation – discharge After chemotherapy – discharge Colon cancer Colon cancer – slideshow Colon cancer screening Colostomy – slideshow Large bowel resection Large bowel resection – slideshow Find an Expert American Cancer Society American Cancer Society American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons ASGE: Find a Doctor American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute Organizations That Offer Support Services National Cancer Institute Specifics Appendix Cancer American Society of Clinical Oncology Diagnosis and Tests Better Check Your Bowels: Screening for Colon and Rectal Cancer National Institutes of Health Colorectal Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute Colorectal Cancer: What You Should Know Food and Drug Administration Fecal Occult Blood Test and Fecal Immunochemical Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Lower GI Series (Barium Enema) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases MedlinePlus: Colonoscopy National Library of Medicine Risks of Colorectal Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute Stages of Colon Cancer National Cancer Institute Stages of Rectal Cancer National Cancer Institute Stool DNA Test Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Tests for Colorectal Cancer American Cancer Society Tests to Detect Colorectal Cancer and Polyps National Cancer Institute Statistics and Research Cancer of the Colon and Rectum National Cancer Institute Colorectal Cancer Rates by Race and Ethnicity Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Percentage of Adults Who Receive Colorectal Cancer Screening as Appropriate Department of Health and Human Services What’s New in Colorectal Cancer Research and Treatment? American Cancer Society Living With CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Colonic Neoplasms National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Colorectal Neoplasms National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Rectal Neoplasms National Institutes of Health Health Check Tools Colon Cancer Risk Questionnaire Siteman Cancer Center Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment Tool National Cancer Institute Prevention and Risk Factors Colon Cleansing: Health or Hype? University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Colorectal (Colon) Cancer: Questions to Ask Your Doctor Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Colorectal (Colon) Cancer: What Are the Risk Factors? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Colorectal Cancer Prevention National Cancer Institute Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) American Society of Clinical Oncology Start Here Colorectal Cancer National Cancer Institute General Information about Colon Cancer National Cancer Institute General Information about Rectal Cancer National Cancer Institute Get Tested for Colorectal Cancer Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion What Is Colorectal Cancer? American Cancer Society Reference Desk Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute Treatments and Therapies Drugs Approved for Colon and Rectal Cancer National Cancer Institute Laparoscopic Colon Resection Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons Ostomy Surgery of the Bowel National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Treatment Option Overview (Colon Cancer) National Cancer Institute Treatment Option Overview (Rectal Cancer) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options (by Stage) for Colon Cancer National Cancer Institute Treatment Options by Stage (Rectal Cancer) National Cancer Institute Genetics Familial Adenomatous Polyposis American Society of Clinical Oncology Genetic Testing for Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Genetics Home Reference: familial adenomatous polyposis National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Lynch syndrome National Library of Medicine Hereditary Mixed Polyposis Syndrome American Society of Clinical Oncology Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome American Society of Clinical Oncology Learning about Colon Cancer National Human Genome Research Institute Muir-Torre Syndrome American Society of Clinical Oncology MYH-Associated Polyposis American Society of Clinical Oncology Turcot Syndrome American Society of Clinical Oncology Related Issues Five Myths about Colorectal Cancer American Cancer Society Frequently Asked Questions about Colorectal Cancer and IBD Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Lynch Syndrome Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research What Should You Ask Your Doctor about Colorectal Cancer? American Cancer Society Videos and Tutorials Get Tested for Colon Cancer: Here’s How American Cancer Society Laparoscopic Right Colectomy OR-Live Minimally Invasive Colorectal Resection to Treat Colon Cancer OR-Live Patient Handouts Lower GI Series National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Understanding Chemotherapy National Cancer Institute What to Know about External Beam Radiation Therapy National Cancer Institute Journal Articles Colorectal Cancer Women What Women Need to Know about Colon Cancer Screening American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Latest News Colon Cancer Rising in People Under 50 HealthDay Is Ovary Removal Tied to Colon Cancer Risk? HealthDay Statins Might Not Lower Colon Cancer Risk: Study HealthDay Elderly with Advanced Colon Cancer Often Get Costly, Dubious Treatments HealthDay Only Half of Rectal Cancer Patients Get Recommended Treatment HealthDay Small Study Supports New Stool-Based Colon Cancer Test HealthDay A Little Excess Weight May Boost Colon Cancer Survival HealthDay Low-Dose Aspirin Tied to Longer Colon Cancer Survival HealthDay Expert Panel Reaffirms Daily Aspirin’s Use Against Heart Disease, Colon Cancer HealthDay A New Health Perk for Coffee Drinkers? HealthDay Distance Matters for Quality Rectal Cancer Care HealthDay
