Rectal cancer, also commonly referred to as colorectal cancer, is cancer that occurs in the rectum, the last portion of the large intestine. Stage 1 is the second stage of rectal cancer, after stage 0. At stage 1, cancer is present in the inner lining of the rectum and in the space between the inner and outer walls of the rectum. Recovery rates are very high when rectal cancer is treated at stage 1.
Stage 1 Rectal Cancer
Stage 1 is the second stage of rectal cancer, also called colorectal cancer, where the cancer is present in the inner lining of the rectum and in the space between the inner and outer walls of the rectum. Often, when the cancer is in an early stage, it can be removed during a colonoscopy. Rectal cancer symptoms may not show up until the disease has advanced, so routine screenings are recommended around middle age.
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Parkland Medical Center answeredGrowths called polyps and nonpolypoid lesions can grow on the inner lining of the rectum and lead to rectal cancer. The exact cause of these growths is not known, but they can be detected and removed before cancer develops during a routine exam. Genetics can also make you more prone to developing rectal cancer. Some environmental factors, such as a diet high in fat and low in fiber, can also trigger rectal cancer.
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Rectal cancer symptoms do not always show up until the disease has advanced, so it is important to have routine screenings once you reach middle age. At stage 1, you may experience few if any symptoms. As rectal cancer advances, you may notice a change in your bowel movements. Both diarrhea and constipation that do not go away can signal rectal cancer. Blood in the stool, abdominal discomfort, feeling that you cannot completely empty your bowel, weight loss, and general fatigue are other symptoms to watch for.
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The most severe affect rectal cancer can have on the body is to spread to other organs, although this only happens when rectal cancer advances to stage 4. Because symptoms do not always show up during early stages, stage 1 rectal cancer may have little effect on your body. If you are experiencing symptoms of rectal cancer, your rectum may bleed, which could cause you to feel weak and tired. You also may lose weight unexpectedly or experience abdominal pain or bleeding while passing a bowel movement.
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Parkland Medical Center answered
Your risk for rectal cancer can stem from genetics or a previous medical condition. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can put you at a higher risk or rectal cancer, so be sure to go through rectal cancer screenings recommended by your doctor. A tendency to develop polyps that can lead to rectal cancer can run in families, so tell your doctor if a family member has had either polyps, rectal cancer, or another cancer of the digestive tract. Some environmental factors can increase the risk of rectal cancer, too, such as eating too much fat and not enough fiber, smoking, or drinking too much alcohol.
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Parkland Medical Center answered
Several diagnostic tests diagnose rectal cancer. Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are exams in which your doctor inserts a tube into your rectum in order to see the inside of the colon. Another test that enables your doctor to view your colon is a barium enema exam, in which your doctor injects a barium solution into your rectum. The barium makes your colon visible during an x-ray, and your doctor can see if there are any abnormalities in the intestinal lining. Sometimes a CT scan is used to diagnose rectal cancer and to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The stage of your cancer may not be known until it is surgically removed.
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Parkland Medical Center answered
If you experience any symptoms of rectal cancer, tell your doctor immediately. The recovery rate of rectal cancer is high if the disease is caught and treated early, so do not dally before talking to your doctor. Symptoms to watch for include blood in your stool, diarrhea or constipation that does not go away, abdominal pain or bloating, weight loss, and a general sense of fatigue.
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Stage 1 rectal cancer is treated with surgery. Often, when the cancer is in an early stage, it can be removed during a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a routine exam, and removal of small polyps during this exam would not require a hospital stay.
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Chemotherapy medication is used to treat advanced stages of rectal cancer. You will likely not need this medication at stage 1. Usually all that is needed to treat stage 1 rectal cancer is removal of the affected polyp during a colonoscopy.
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To treat rectal cancer, you will need to have the cancer removed. There is no reliable alternative to surgery. Alternative treatments for rectal cancer focus on relieving the stress caused by advanced stages of the disease, and may include the arts, relaxation, or spiritual practices.