Is a rectal polyp the same as rectal cancer?

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on May 08, 2025
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Rectal polyps and rectal cancer are two different diseases, so it cannot be assumed that rectal polyps are rectal cancer. Rectal polyps are relatively common in clinical practice, especially among middle-aged and young patients, as they are often incidentally found during colonoscopy due to abnormal stools or abdominal discomfort. Generally, rectal polyps are small, ranging from a few millimeters to a maximum of one centimeter. Most rectal polyps are benign lesions, which can be managed with regular follow-ups or removed via endoscopy. Rectal cancer is generally considered a malignant tumor of the rectum, more commonly seen in older patients, who often exhibit alarming symptoms such as abdominal pain, rectal bleeding or abnormal stools, and in some cases, weight loss. Typically, malignant lesions in the rectum and tumor-like changes can be detected under colonoscopy. The main treatments include chemotherapy and surgical intervention.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
1min 19sec home-news-image

What tests are used to check for rectal cancer?

When clinical symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation, changes in bowel habits, bloody stools, and abdominal pain occur, we should be vigilant about the possibility of rectal cancer. The examination for rectal cancer can start with a digital rectal exam, especially for low-lying rectal cancer, which is closer to the anus; these tumors can be detected through this method. Then, a colonoscopy should be performed to take a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, which is the gold standard for confirmation. Additionally, blood tests for tumor markers can be conducted. Generally, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA199 levels may be elevated, but this is not absolute as their specificity and sensitivity are not very high. An enhanced CT scan of the abdomen can also be done. In such scans, we can see thickening of the intestinal wall where the tumor is located, and the enhancement can show the intensified thickening of the intestinal wall. Combining all these methods can confirm the diagnosis of rectal cancer.

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Written by Wang Hui Jie
Gastroenterology
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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 Gong Chun
Oncology
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Is rectal cancer without metastasis curable?

Can rectal cancer without metastases be treated successfully? If rectal cancer has not metastasized, its prognosis and outcome are relatively much better compared to cases where there are metastases and recurrences. If surgery is performed for rectal cancer and there is no recurrence or metastasis afterwards, then the five-year survival rate is naturally higher. However, if rectal cancer is initially treated surgically and cleaned thoroughly but then quickly recurs, with liver metastases, lung metastases, etc., then the five-year survival rate would be much lower. Therefore, if rectal cancer has not metastasized, the treatment and prognosis are much better. Thus, if there is no liver or lung metastasis in rectal cancer, the treatment is relatively easier.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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How to detect colorectal cancer early

In clinical practice, to detect colorectal cancer early, screening should be prioritized for individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer. This generally involves tests for tumor markers and colonoscopy examinations. The tumor markers include carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 724, carbohydrate antigen 199, and carbohydrate antigen 125, among others. Colonoscopy examinations should be conducted annually. Furthermore, for individuals with colorectal polyps, yearly colonoscopy is especially recommended to detect early stages of colon cancer. Similarly, for individuals suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon and rectum such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, colonoscopy examinations should also be performed to facilitate early detection of colorectal cancer.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Is the survival rate for rectal cancer high?

Rectal cancer is primarily a malignant tumor, and there are individual differences in treatment, even differing biological behaviors. Some people discover it early, while others find it later, sometimes even with multiple metastases. If it is diagnosed in a later stage, naturally, the patient's survival period is shorter. Surgical treatment of rectal cancer is one aspect, and subsequent measures to possibly extend the patient's survival include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, etc.