Can rectal cancer be treated?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on June 06, 2025
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For rectal cancer, the answer is definitely yes, there are treatments available. If the diagnosis is clear and some treatment measures are reached, it should be personalized because the treatment for rectal cancer includes surgical operations or further anti-tumor treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and even molecular immunotargeted therapy. There are definitely ways to deal with it. Generally, based on the examination of the patient, if there is an opportunity for surgery, surgical removal is the first choice. However, if there is a situation of combined metastasis and the patient presents with symptoms of obstruction, surgery is also needed to resolve the obstruction symptoms. After that, when the patient has recovered, further anti-tumor measures can be taken.

Other Voices

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Postoperative Diet and Care for Rectal Cancer

Firstly, rectal cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive tract, so after surgery, it is recommended to eat foods that are easy to digest and absorb. Secondly, do not smoke, abstain from alcohol, and avoid spicy and irritating foods. Thirdly, it is advised not to eat indigestible foods, such as bean products and foods that cause gas, and to consume them in smaller quantities. Fourthly, rectal cancer may deplete a large amount of nutrients in the body, coupled with the damage from surgery, so it is essential to ensure a nutrition-rich diet, consume nutritious foods such as soups, easily digestible congee, and high-quality proteins to increase the body's nutrients. Fifthly, attention should be paid to timely adding clothing to avoid catching a cold.

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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 Yan Chun
Oncology
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What are the late-stage symptoms of rectal cancer?

The late-stage symptoms of rectal cancer patients in clinical practice mainly include the following types. The first type is abdominal symptoms caused locally by rectal cancer. For example: bloody stools, pass stools with mucous and pus, anal pain, bloating, abdominal pain, and other manifestations. The second category of symptoms is those from metastases in various locations. For example, bone metastases cause bone pain and limb movement disorders. Lung metastases cause chest tightness, shortness of breath after activity, chest pain, breathing difficulties, coughing and coughing up blood, etc. Brain metastases cause headaches, dizziness, and seizures. The third category of symptoms is mainly systemic symptoms caused by rectal cancer lesions, such as: weight loss, fatigue, and high fever.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Could having blood in the stool for five years be rectal cancer?

If there has been blood in the stool for five years, whether it's colorectal cancer or not, this can only be confirmed through a colonoscopy. Furthermore, pathological tissue analysis and biopsy are necessary to make a definitive diagnosis. Pathological examination is the gold standard for diagnosing cancer. If cancerous changes are present, surgical treatment should be undertaken promptly to prevent the spread of cancer cells. If there are no malignant changes, symptomatic treatment measures can be adopted. Conditions such as chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, or hemorrhoids could also cause blood in the stool.

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Written by Cui Fang Bo
Oncology
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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.