Colon/Rectal Cancer
Colon and Rectal Surgeon located in Sacramento and Roseville, CA
Colon and rectal cancer are leading causes of death in the United States, but prompt treatment could prevent fatal outcomes. If you develop signs of colorectal cancer, visit one of the Sacramento Colon and Rectal Surgery Medical Group offices in Sacramento, or Roseville, California. The experienced surgeons offer expert colorectal cancer evaluations and surgical management, including laparoscopic and robotic techniques. Call your nearest office to arrange a colorectal cancer screening or book an appointment online today.
Colon and rectal (colorectal) cancer affect the last sections of your intestines.
The colon or large bowel is below your small intestine. It contains billions of friendly bacteria that help break down fibrous foods. After extracting all the goodness, the remaining waste goes to your rectum, where it stays until you have a bowel movement.
Cancer cells grow aggressively and don’t die like healthy cells, resulting in large masses or tumors. Without treatment, colorectal cancer can spread to other parts of your body. At this advanced stage, it’s much harder to treat, and the chances of survival are much slimmer.
However, colorectal cancer survival rates are high when you get treatment early on.
Colorectal cancer is the third most widespread cancer in the United States, affecting men and women. It’s also the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the US.
Colorectal cancer usually develops from polyps — small growths in the colon and rectum that are most often harmless. In some people, one or more of these polyps undergo genetic mutations that make them cancerous.
Around 5% of patients have a hereditary form of colon cancer. Your risk of the disease is also higher if you have long-standing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
People at risk of colorectal cancer and everyone over 45 should attend routine screenings.
Colorectal cancer presents with various symptoms, including:
Colorectal cancer is often asymptomatic (doesn’t cause any problems), especially early on.
If you have colorectal cancer symptoms, your Sacramento Colon and Rectal Surgery Medical Group doctor might perform a digital rectal examination, flexible sigmoidoscopy, proctoscopy (rigid sigmoidoscopy), or colonoscopy.
They can also use transanal ultrasound to evaluate rectal cancers.
Surgery is the treatment of choice for colorectal cancer. Sacramento Colon and Rectal Surgery Medical Group may recommend minimally invasive surgery using laparoscopic or robotic techniques or, in some cases, open surgery.
Before surgery, your surgeon stages the tumor to assess the degree of spread, which is vital for preoperative planning. You may need chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to shrink the tumor before surgery.
Call Sacramento Colon and Rectal Surgery Medical Group today to arrange your colorectal cancer exam or book an appointment online.