Colorectal Cancer Specialist

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that begins in your large intestine (colon) or your rectum. Growths, known as polyps, start developing in the lining of these tissues and, over time, can become cancerous.

Adenomatous polyps, or Sessile serrated adenomas, are flat polyps that grow faster and they are harder to find. These more commonly can change into cancer and are often referred to as precancerous adenomas.

You can also have areas of tissue in the lining of the colon or rectum where the cells look suspicious but aren’t yet cancerous.

If left undetected and untreated, cancer can begin growing on other areas and layers of the colon or rectal lining. They can spread into your blood vessels, lymph nodes, and move to other parts of your body. The stage of cancer you have depends on where and how far cancer spreads.

How is colorectal cancer diagnosed?

Screening colonoscopies are the gold standard for early detection of colon cancer — prevention is the best medicine. 

Most forms of colorectal cancer have no symptoms, it is considered a “silent disease”

If you have symptoms of colorectal cancer, they would include:

• Bloody stool
• Rectal bleeding
• Abdominal cramping or pain
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation
  
  

Other common signs of colon cancer include persistent weakness, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.

If any of these symptoms describe what you are experiencing, make an appointment online or call today. Your expert physician at Eisenman & Eisenman, M.D., Advanced Gastro Consultants, can recommend a diagnostic colonoscopy as soon as possible. 

How is colorectal cancer treated?

Your treatment for colorectal cancer depends on the stage your cancer is in and your overall health. In the earliest stages, your Eisenman & Eisenman, M.D., Advanced Gastro Consultants provider can remove cancerous polyps during a colonoscopy.

If you have larger polyps, you may need either an Endoscopic Mucosal Resection, called EMR, or a referral to a surgeon for a minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. This type of procedure uses specialized surgical instruments your doctor inserts through a small incision in your abdomen. Smaller incisions cause less trauma to your body and allow you to recover faster from your surgery.

In advanced colon cancer, you may need surgery to remove the part of your colon that contains cancer. Depending on where and how far your cancer has spread, you may also need chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells and stop them from spreading, all of these variables will be explored with an oncologist for the best outcome specific for your cancer.

To learn more about treating and preventing colorectal cancer, schedule a consultation at Eisenman & Eisenman, M.D., Advanced Gastro Consultants by phone or request an appointment online now.