Rectal Cancer
- The part of the large intestine that opens into the anal canal is called the “rectum,” and cancers in the large intestine and rectum are referred to as “colorectal cancers.”
- The risk of colorectal cancer is higher after the age of 50. Therefore, it is important not to neglect symptoms and screenings.
- About one-third of colorectal cancers are rectal cancers. Rectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide.
- The most common symptoms of rectal cancer are: rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, difficulty in defecation, narrowing of stool, a feeling of fullness and pain in the rectum.
- If you are concerned about rectal cancer, make sure to undergo cancer screenings and consult your doctor about any symptoms.
- Detailed rectoscopic and colonoscopic examination is essential for diagnosis.
- Most rectal cancers are treated with a combination of surgery, radiation therapy (radiotherapy), and chemotherapy. Treatment is selected based on the stage of the disease.
- In advanced rectal cancers, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are required before or after surgery.
- Rectal cancers respond very well to radiotherapy.
- Radiotherapy can be given before (neoadjuvant treatment) or after (adjuvant treatment) surgery.
- Radiotherapy is more effective when given before surgery. Therefore, it is preferred that patients who will undergo radiotherapy receive it before surgery.
- Especially in advanced tumors, radiotherapy given before surgery can shrink (or even eliminate) the tumor, reduce the risk of cancer recurrence, and increase the chance of surgical success and the preservation of the bowel control muscle (sphincter). This reduces the risk of permanently relying on a colostomy bag.
- Radiotherapy given before surgery may be short-term (1 week) or long-term (6-8 weeks). The doctor will determine the appropriate duration.
- Sometimes, chemotherapy is applied simultaneously with radiotherapy. The goal of the additional chemotherapy is to enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy.
- Especially in lower rectal cancers, the tumor may completely disappear after radiotherapy (in 15-20% of patients). Non-surgical rectal cancer treatment may be an option in very well-selected patients, but it should be kept in mind that this is not a standard treatment option.
- Patients who undergo radiotherapy are re-examined about 8-10 weeks after treatment to evaluate the response to the treatment.
- Radiotherapy planning in rectal cancer is very important for treatment success. Your radiotherapy plan should be created with great care and precision by a knowledgeable and experienced radiation oncologist, which will increase your treatment success.
