The Wellness Community

Frankly Speaking About Colorectal Cancer

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(Second edition)

Main Page The Patient Active Approach   Ten actions people with colorectal cancer can take   Being Patient Active with colorectal cancer Understanding Colorectal Cancer   Signs and symptoms   Risk Factors   Genetic testing   Screening   Diagnosis and Staging   Seeking a second opinion   Stages of colorectal cancer Building and Working with Your Healthcare Team   Key members of your healthcare team   Communication is the key to getting your needs met with ease   Asking questions Treatment for Colorectal Cancer   Surgery for colon cancer   Surgery for rectal cancer   Surgery for metastatic colorectal cancer   Chemotherapy   Chemoradiation   Targeted (or biologic) treatments   How you get treatments for colorectal cancer   Colorectal cancer treatment table   Treatment options by stage   Treatment issues with incurable disease   Participating in clinical trials   Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) Managing Side Effects of Colorectal Cancer Treatments   Managing surgery side effects   Ostomy (colostomy or ileostomy)   Managing side effects of chemotherapy and targeted therapy   Managing side effects of radiation for rectal cancer   Managing bowel obstructions and/or perforations Quality of Life Considerations   Dealing with distress   The value of emotional support   Support groups   Advocacy   Counseling   Close relationships   Helping children cope   Talking about colorectal cancer   Humor   Sexuality   Spirituality   Making the mind-body connection   Managing career and financial concerns   When treatment is over   Recurrence   Death and dying Resources   Support for people living with ostomies   Help with financial and legal concerns   Government agencies   Clinical trial information   Culturally specific resources go

Understanding Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer overall in the United States. Only lung cancer is more common.

Fortunately, the number of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer has been decreasing over the last 20 years, partly as a result of more screening, which results infinding and removing colorectal polyps before they turn into cancer. 

The number of Americans who die from colorectal cancer has also declined in the last 20 years. This reflects the declining number of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer as well as improvements in early detection and treatment. 

What is cancer?

Cancer is a condition in which cells multiply uncontrollably to form growths that invade and destroy normal tissue. Cancer cells can spread from their original site to other parts of the body. This is called metastasis (pronounced: muh-TASS-tuh-sis). The plural is metastases (pronounced: muh-TASS-tuh-seez).

Cancers are named for the place in the body where they begin, not where they may spread. So, for example, if you have colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver, you do not have liver cancer, you have liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

What is colorectal cancer?

Cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer, and cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Cancer that starts in the colon or rectum may also be called colorectal cancer.

The colon and rectum are part of the body’s digestive system. The digestive system takes in nutrients (like vitamins and proteins) from foods and helps pass waste material out of the body. The organs in the digestive system include the esophagus, stomach, and the small and large intestines.

The first 6 feet of the large intestine are called the large bowel, or colon. The last 6-8 inches are the rectum and the anal canal. The anal canal ends at the anus (the opening of the large intestine to the outside of the body).

Anatomy of the lower digestive system, showing the colon and other organs.

Courtesy: National Cancer Institute

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