Can colorectal cancer be inherited?

Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

Updated on January 25, 2025

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Can rectal cancer be inherited? Rectal cancer is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the rectum. Genetic factors are among the causes of rectal cancer, but they are not absolute. The proportion of genetic factors in the occurrence of rectal cancer is relatively small. Most causes are related to inhalative lesions of the rectum, and also linked to the patient's lifestyle, bowel habits, etc., which can lead to the occurrence of rectal cancer. So, there is a genetic component, but the likelihood is low. Therefore, for patients with familial hereditary diseases or families where multiple people have rectal cancer, it is important to conduct timely re-examinations with colonoscopies or to perform some genetic screening.

Other Voices

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Written by Wang Hui Jie

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Can a colonoscopy detect rectal cancer?

Colonoscopy can detect colon and rectal cancer. It is the most important and primary method for examining colonic mucosal lesions. The large intestine includes the cecum, colon, and rectum. Colonoscopy allows direct visual inspection of lesions, including the size and color of the lesions, and whether there are ulcers and erosion, the nature of any attachments, etc. It also allows for direct biopsy. Firstly, it can assess the texture of the lesion, such as whether it is soft, hard, or brittle. Moreover, the biopsied sample can be analyzed histologically to determine the benign or malignant nature, depth of infiltration, etc. Different pathological characteristics have different prognoses and treatment methods, suitable for early cancers treatable under endoscopy, or those that can be removed during the process of the colonoscopy.

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Written by Cui Fang Bo

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Can the anus be preserved if the rectal cancer is 3 cm away from the anus?

When rectal cancer is 3cm from the anus, it generally isn't possible to preserve the anus. Currently, the commonly used surgical methods for rectal cancer are the Dixon and Miles techniques. Generally, the threshold is 5cm from the anus; when the tumor is within 5cm of the anus, it often necessitates a Miles procedure, which does not preserve the anus. When the tumor is more than 5cm from the anus, an anus-preserving Dixon procedure can be performed. However, in considering the radical resection of rectal cancer, preserving the anus should not be the primary choice; instead, the main goal should be curative.

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Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

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What are the symptoms and early signs of rectal cancer?

In the early stages of rectal cancer, there are no obvious symptoms. Only when the condition progresses to a certain extent do some clinical symptoms appear. The first is a change in bowel habits or the nature of the stool. The second possible symptom is abdominal pain. The third possible outcome is intestinal obstruction. The fourth symptom occurs when the tumor develops to a certain extent, and lumps can be felt in the abdomen. The fifth point includes possible symptoms of systemic poisoning such as anemia, weight loss, fever, and weakness. The sixth point is that in the advanced stages of rectal cancer, some metastatic lesions may appear, such as extensive pelvic metastasis and infiltration, leading to pain in the sacral area and sciatic neuralgia; if areas like the vaginal, rectal mucosa, or bladder mucosa are involved, there may be vaginal bleeding or blood in the urine, resulting in conditions like rectovaginal or rectovesical fistulas.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao

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Is chemotherapy effective for late-stage rectal cancer?

Late-stage rectal cancer is primarily due to the metastasis and proliferation of cancer cells. At this stage, surgery alone cannot completely eliminate cancer cells, so chemotherapy is necessary. Chemotherapy has certain effects clinically, especially in patients who are sensitive to chemotherapy drugs, where the effects are more pronounced. This can control the spread of cancer cells in multiple locations and can, to some extent, improve patient survival rates. For patients, it is important to maintain good health, enhance their immune system, consume foods rich in high-quality proteins, and engage in appropriate exercise. Moreover, maintaining a positive mindset is beneficial for extending life. Additionally, patients can integrate traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture as complementary therapies, which can also potentially improve postoperative survival rates.

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Early symptoms of rectal cancer

The early symptoms of rectal cancer generally include the following aspects: many patients experience changes in their bowel habits, such as prolonged diarrhea, prolonged constipation, or alternating occurrences of diarrhea and constipation. Some patients also experience changes in the characteristics of their stools, with stools becoming thinner and more watery due to increased bowel movements. Additionally, some patients may excrete stools mixed with mucus, pus, and blood, or stools that contain blood, and may experience a feeling of urgency followed by a sensation of incomplete evacuation. Some patients also feel itching or a dull pain in the anal area. Moreover, the early symptoms of rectal cancer are not very prominent, and many patients can easily confuse them with benign rectal diseases such as hemorrhoids and anal fissures. This confusion leads many patients not to seek medical attention, and by the time symptoms like significant pain and lumps appear, the disease is typically in its intermediate or advanced stages.