What should rectal cancer patients pay attention to after surgery?

Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on June 05, 2025
00:00
00:00

Patients with rectal cancer should maintain a positive and optimistic attitude after surgery, face reality, and build confidence in overcoming cancer. In terms of diet, they should diversify their food intake, including consuming more milk, eggs, lean meat, fresh vegetables, and fruits. They should avoid eating Sichuan pepper, chili peppers, alcohol, and similar foods. Patients should reorganize their lives to ensure regularity, cultivate their interests and hobbies, and engage in appropriate physical exercise.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
1min 13sec home-news-image

How long can one live after rectal cancer surgery?

The specific life expectancy after radical resection for rectal cancer varies among individuals and is dependent on various factors including the patient's general and physical condition, pathological staging post-surgery, and whether there are high-risk factors for recurrence such as lymph node metastasis, vascular tumor thrombus, and nerve invasion. The overall five-year survival rate post-surgery is approximately 50%. If the disease is confined to the submucosa and lacks high-risk factors such as vascular tumor thrombus, nerve invasion, or lymph node metastasis, the five-year survival rate after radical surgery can reach up to 90%. However, if post-surgery pathology reveals lymph node metastasis, vascular tumor thrombus, and nerve invasion, among other high-risk factors, the patient's five-year survival rate will decrease. Thus, survival rates are closely related to many factors.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
50sec home-news-image

Is anal canal cancer considered a type of rectal cancer?

Anal canal cancer can also be considered a type of rectal cancer, specifically the type located near the anus, referred to as anal canal cancer. Generally, anal canal cancer may have a higher malignancy level, and its initial main symptoms include rectal bleeding and changes in stool characteristics, such as narrower stools. There may also be a sensation of heaviness and pain in the anal area. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through a digital rectal examination and a biopsy. If necessary, an anoscopy and other common examinations can be conducted to check for lesions in other parts of the intestine. Generally, the prognosis for anal canal cancer is not as favorable as for other types of rectal or colon cancer.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
1min 12sec home-news-image

How to differentiate rectal cancer from hemorrhoids?

In clinical practice, rectal cancer can be differentiated from hemorrhoids in the following three aspects: First, the impact on the body is different between the two conditions. Rectal cancer has a significant impact on the body, with patients often experiencing symptoms such as general fatigue, fever, and weight loss. Hemorrhoids, on the other hand, have a minor impact on the body, with patients primarily experiencing local symptoms and rarely showing systemic symptoms. Second, there is a significant difference in the treatment methods. Treatment for rectal cancer includes surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In contrast, treatment for hemorrhoids mainly involves local medication, and severe cases may consider local surgical treatment. Thirdly, the prognosis of the two conditions is very different. Patients with advanced rectal cancer have a poorer prognosis, and many have a short survival time. Hemorrhoids, however, do not affect the life span of the body.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
48sec home-news-image

Where to apply moxibustion for rectal cancer?

Firstly, the treatment of rectal cancer with moxibustion needs to be differentiated. Everyone has a different constitution. If someone has rectal cancer and has a heat-type constitution, it is not recommended to undergo moxibustion treatment. However, if the patient has a cold-type constitution, moxibustion treatment can be performed. The second issue is where exactly to apply the moxibustion. It can be done on the abdomen, around the navel, where there are acupuncture points, all suitable for moxibustion. For example, the navel, which corresponds to the Shenque point, can be treated with moxibustion. Other points above and below the navel, like Guanyuan and Qihai, can also be used for moxibustion.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
47sec home-news-image

Can rectal cancer be treated?

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.