What causes rectal cancer?

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 22, 2024
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The occurrence of rectal cancer is a process involving multiple factors and multiple steps, and it is the result of the interaction between environmental factors and genetic factors of the body. To date, its causes are not completely understood, but there are some factors that are considered high-risk. First, dietary factors are generally believed to be high in animal protein, high fat, and low fiber, which are significant factors in the high incidence of rectal cancer. Second, lifestyle factors such as prolonged sitting, smoking, drinking, being overweight, and obesity may increase the incidence of rectal cancer. Third, having a history of medical surgeries. Fourth, environmental factors, such as asbestos workers. Fifth, genetic factors.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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What is the best food to eat after rectal cancer surgery?

For malignant tumors and colorectal cancer, the suggested dietary recommendations after surgery include, first and foremost, consuming nutritious foods to replenish the nutrients depleted by the surgery and the tumor. It is advisable to eat more nutritional items. Secondly, after surgery for rectal cancer, it's important to avoid hard-to-digest and gas-producing foods such as beans, milk, and eggs. Thirdly, it is recommended to consume easily digestible items like soups and nutritious porridge. The fourth recommendation is to avoid spicy and irritating foods, and abstain from alcohol and smoking.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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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.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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What should I do if rectal cancer causes jet-like bleeding?

Rectal cancer patients often experience bleeding, which is a common clinical manifestation. When patients exhibit spurting bleeding, we can adopt the following treatment strategies: Firstly, patients should refrain from eating, as food stimulation can exacerbate the bleeding; Secondly, patients should be administered some medications for hemostasis. When the effect of medical hemostasis is insufficient, we can employ interventional methods, or vascular embolization techniques for hemostasis; Thirdly, when the patient's bleeding volume is large, blood transfusions should be given to improve the patient's anemia; If the patient experiences shock due to bleeding, in addition to blood transfusion treatment, it is also necessary to provide fluid supplementation to ensure the overall volume status of the patient; Fifthly, when the effect of medical hemostasis is poor, surgical intervention is required to carry out hemostasis.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
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Does rectal cancer vomit infect others?

Rectal cancer vomiting is not contagious. The vomiting in rectal cancer is primarily due to the growth of a tumor in the intestine that becomes too large, which then induces intestinal obstruction, causing the patient to vomit and be unable to eat. Furthermore, the vomit is not contagious, and rectal cancer itself is not a contagious disease. For patients with rectal cancer, it is essential to relieve the obstruction as soon as possible and to arrange surgery promptly. If sphincter preservation is possible, it should be attempted. Also, patients with rectal cancer should undergo a pathological biopsy to determine the type of cancer and whether it has spread. Patients with rectal cancer also need to be on a full-liquid diet. Foods with residues should be avoided as much as possible to not easily induce intestinal obstruction, leading to electrolyte disturbances or even causing the body to go into shock. Thus, it is crucial to pay sufficient attention to these issues.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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What are the symptoms of stage 1, 2, 3, and 4 rectal cancer?

Patients in stage I of rectal cancer mostly show no symptoms, with a few experiencing symptoms such as blood in their stool. Stage II patients generally experience intermittent rectal bleeding and diarrhea, some present with constipation, or mucopurulent and bloody stool. Stage III rectal cancer patients will experience abdominal pain in addition to rectal bleeding, with some showing symptoms of abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting. Patients with stage IV rectal cancer, in addition to abdominal symptoms, can exhibit symptoms of distant metastases, such as coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing in those with lung metastases, and localized lump pain and mobility impairments in patients with bone metastases.