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Rectal cancer
Can rectal cancer be cured?
If rectal cancer is detected in its early stages, such as stage I or II, curative surgery can be performed. Postoperative decisions regarding the necessity of adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy are based on the postoperative pathological staging. Early-stage rectal cancer patients can achieve a cure through surgical treatment combined with some postoperative adjuvant therapies. After curative surgery, the overall five-year survival rate is approximately 50%. However, this rate can vary and is associated with several factors such as postoperative pathology, whether there is lymph node metastasis, the presence of vascular tumor thrombi, and nerve invasion, among other high-risk factors for recurrence, showing certain individual differences. Yet, early-stage rectal cancer patients can achieve a cure through these methods.
Symptoms of rectal cancer recurrence
The symptoms of rectal cancer recurrence can include changes in bowel habits and stool characteristics, possibly presenting as rectal bleeding, increased frequency of bowel movements, a sensation of heaviness in the anus, and changes in stool shape, such as narrowing. The second symptom may be abdominal pain, particularly persistent and subtle pain. The third symptom involves palpable abdominal lumps or masses, especially with right-sided colon cancer. The fourth symptom is intestinal obstruction, which can occur if the bowel is blocked due to the recurrence of rectal cancer, leading to symptoms of intestinal obstruction. The fifth symptom, if the recurrent rectal cancer has metastasized, may lead to symptoms at the respective metastatic sites.
Difference between colitis and rectal cancer
The differences between proctitis and rectal cancer are that under endoscopy, proctitis can present with patchy congestion, with or without mucus, and unclear vascular patterns. In contrast, rectal cancer can present with a protruding mass, which may have an uneven surface, cauliflower-like changes, and possibly congested erosion, among other conditions. It could also simply be a very superficial lesion, and the texture is often more brittle, possibly involving the entire circumference of the colon, preventing the passage of a colonoscope. Clinically, proctitis may present with symptoms such as increased frequency of bowel movements, incomplete evacuation, and sticky stools that may contain mucus. Rectal cancer, on the other hand, may present with symptoms such as bloody stools, positive fecal occult blood, abdominal pain, etc.
Can rectal cancer be detected by ultrasound B?
Can rectal ultrasound detect it? When we perform an abdominal ultrasound for the digestive system, we might see a potential mass in the abdomen, but its specific nature cannot be clearly identified. Therefore, the definitive diagnosis of rectal cancer still relies on biopsy and pathological examination. Thus, it is recommended to go to the hospital and consult a professional oncologist for tests, such as undergoing an endoscopic biopsy or having a surgical procedure to remove and then analyze the pathology to confirm whether it is rectal cancer or not.