Stage 3 Rectal Cancer

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• QWhat are the treatment options for stage 3 rectal cancer?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  You will almost certainly need surgery to treat stage 3 rectal cancer. Your doctor may recommend chemotherapy and radiation therapy first to shrink the cancer followed by surgery to remove the part of the rectum that contains the cancer. Nearby lymph nodes will also be removed. Often, the healthy parts of the colon can be fused together again, but depending on the exact location of rectal cancer, a colostomy may be required.

  Since lymph nodes are affected by cancer at stage 3, you will need additional treatment after surgery to prevent the cancer from spreading. Your doctor will likely recommend a combination of chemotherapy and radiation to continue treatment, and continued vigilance to catch the cancer if it returns.

• QWhat is stage 3 rectal cancer?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Rectal cancer, also commonly referred to as colorectal cancer, is cancer that occurs in the rectum, the last portion of the large intestine. Stage 3 is the fourth stage of rectal cancer. At stage 3, cancer has grown from the inner lining of the rectum through the rectal wall and penetrated nearby lymph nodes. While cancer has spread to lymph nodes in stage 3, it has not yet spread to other organs or remote parts of the body.

• QWhat causes stage 3 rectal cancer?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Growths 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 during a routine exam before cancer develops. 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. Stage 3 rectal cancer develops when the cancer is not treated at stage 0-1-or 2.

• QWhat are the symptoms of stage 3 rectal cancer?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  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.

• QHow does stage 3 rectal cancer affect the body?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  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. At stage 3, only the rectum and nearby lymph nodes are affected. 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.

• QWhat increases my risk for stage 3 rectal cancer?

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  A Reston Hospital 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 for 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.

• QHow is stage 3 rectal cancer diagnosed?

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  A Reston Hospital 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 after surgery. Lymph nodes near the cancer are removed during surgery and tested. If this test is positive, rectal cancer has advanced to stage 3.

• QShould I talk to my doctor about my stage 3 rectal cancer symptoms?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  If you experience any symptoms of rectal cancer, tell your doctor immediately. The recovery rate of rectal cancer is higher the earlier cancer is treated, 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.

• QHow do medications treat stage 3 rectal cancer?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Chemotherapy medication is used to treat advanced stages of rectal cancer. Radiation x, rays that target cancer cells are usually used in conjunction with chemotherapy. These treatments can treat cancer that is unable to be surgically removed.

• QAre there alternative treatments for stage 3 rectal cancer?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  To treat rectal cancer, you will need to have the cancer removed. There is no reliable alternative to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Alternative treatments for rectal cancer focus on relieving the stress caused by advanced stages of the disease, and may include the arts, relazation, or spiritual practices.