¿Qué es el cáncer de recto?
Rectal cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lining of your rectum—the bottom part of your large intestine. It has many similarities to Cáncer de colon, so the term colorectal cancer often refers to rectal and colon cancer together.
Al igual que el cáncer de colon, el cáncer de recto es muy tratable cuando se detecta en sus primeras etapas. También se puede prevenir con exámenes de detección de cáncer colorrectal de rutina, como una colonoscopia. Durante una colonoscopia, su médico puede extirpar pólipos precancerosos del recto antes de que se conviertan en cáncer.
Desde aprender más sobre su riesgo de cáncer de recto hasta afrontar un diagnóstico de cáncer de recto, nuestro equipo está a su lado. Con nuestra red completa de servicios contra el cáncer, tiene muchas opciones para guiar sus próximos pasos.
Síntomas del cáncer de recto
When rectal cancer first develops, you may not have any signs or symptoms. Early rectal cancer symptoms also overlap with those of several more common digestive diseases, such as hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. If you’re having any ongoing digestive discomfort, a visit to the doctor is important to help get to the source of your symptoms.
As rectal cancer grows or spreads in the body, you may start to have additional symptoms, such as weight loss or fatigue. In its most advanced stages, rectal cancer may spread to other organs, causing symptoms in your lungs, bones or liver.
Algunos síntomas del cáncer de recto incluyen:
- Sangrado rectal o sangre en las heces.
- Estreñimiento, diarrea u otros cambios intestinales.
- Sentir que todavía necesitas ir después de defecar
- Estrechamiento de las heces
- Dolor abdominal o calambres
- Pérdida de peso involuntaria
- Fatiga
Cuándo consultar a un médico por cáncer de recto
While occasional digestive issues can happen, any ongoing symptoms signal a need to see a doctor. Most of the time, digestive symptoms aren’t caused by rectal cancer. But a visit to the doctor can give you the answers you need. Your healthcare provider will also partner with you to discuss your options for rectal cancer screenings and other routine care to protect yourself against cancer of the rectum.
¿Qué causa el cáncer de recto?
El cáncer de recto es causado por células anormales en el recto que crecen rápidamente. Si bien no conocemos todas las causas del cáncer de recto, ciertos factores lo ponen en mayor riesgo, desde afecciones médicas hasta antecedentes familiares.
Si tiene alguno de los siguientes factores de riesgo, hable con su médico sobre los pasos a seguir para cuidarse, incluida una prueba de detección de cáncer colorrectal.
- Age: Generally, your risk of rectal cancer gets higher as you get older. However, cases in adults under 50 have increased in recent years.
- Gender: Men have a slightly higher risk of rectal cancer than women.
- Race and ethnicity: Rectal cancer rates are highest in African Americans. Other groups with a higher risk include American Indians, Alaska Natives and Ashkenazi Jews.
- Family health history: If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps, your risk of rectal cancer is higher. Some inherited genetic syndromes also increase your risk, such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
- Certain health conditions: If you’ve been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, you’re more at risk for rectal cancer.
- Smoking: As with many types of cancer, smoking and tobacco use are linked to a higher risk of developing rectal cancer.
- Diet: A diet high in fat, red or processed meats and excessive alcohol use can increase your risk of rectal cancer.
Pruebas genéticas para el cáncer de recto.
Aproximadamente el 5-10 % de los casos de cáncer de recto están relacionados con una afección genética hereditaria. Su médico puede recomendar asesoramiento genético si tiene antecedentes familiares importantes de cáncer colorrectal o un miembro de la familia con un trastorno genético conocido.
Our Asesoramiento genetico programs review your personal and family history, perform risk assessments and guide your choices about genetic testing. Genetic counseling gives you the information you need to make informed choices about your care, including screening options and preventive steps.
Diagnóstico de cáncer de recto
El cáncer de recto se puede detectar durante un examen rectal de rutina o como resultado de pruebas cuando se experimentan síntomas digestivos inusuales o incómodos. Si tiene signos de cáncer de recto, su equipo de atención cuenta con muchas herramientas y tecnologías para encontrar el origen de sus síntomas.
En el caso del cáncer de recto, el diagnóstico precoz es clave. Cuando este tipo de cáncer se diagnostica en sus primeras etapas, su equipo de atención puede extirpar quirúrgicamente todo el cáncer sin necesidad de otros tratamientos.
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Historia médica, historia familiar y examen físico.
Historia médica, historia familiar y examen físico.
Si tiene algún síntoma de cáncer de recto, su médico comenzará haciéndole preguntas sobre sus antecedentes médicos y familiares y realizando un examen físico. Su examen físico puede incluir un examen rectal con un dedo enguantado, donde su médico verifica si hay bultos que se puedan sentir en el recto. -
Procedimientos endoscópicos
Procedimientos endoscópicos
Durante un procedimiento endoscópico, su equipo de atención utiliza un tubo delgado con una luz y una cámara para observar más de cerca el interior del recto. Los dos principales procedimientos de endoscopia utilizados para diagnosticar el cáncer de recto son la colonoscopia y la sigmoidoscopia.
- Colonoscopy: A Colonoscopia provides a view of the inside of the entire colon and rectum. It also allows your doctor to take samples of polyps or tissue in the rectum and send them to the lab to help with a diagnosis.
- Sigmoidoscopy: This endoscopic procedure is similar to a colonoscopy, but instead of viewing the entire colon, your care team only looks at the lower portion of the colon. A sigmoidoscopy also may require taking tissue samples for testing.
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Pruebas de heces
Pruebas de heces
Las pruebas de heces buscan signos de sangre o ADN en las heces que podrían ser un signo de cáncer colorrectal o pólipos en el colon o el recto. Por lo general, estas pruebas se realizan desde la comodidad de su hogar, lo que le permite recolectar muestras de heces cuando le resulte conveniente. Si las pruebas de heces son positivas, generalmente van seguidas de una colonoscopia.
- Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT): Fecal occult blood testing looks for blood in the stool and requires multiple samples to be sent to the lab. With this test, you may need to change your medications or diet.
- Fecal immunochemical test (FIT): A fecal immunochemical test is an at-home test to help detect blood in the stool. With this stool test, you’ll collect multiple samples, but you don’t have to change your diet or medications.
- DNA stool test: Along with checking for blood, a DNA stool test also checks for pieces of DNA in the stool that could be signs of rectal cancer.
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Biopsias
Biopsias
Si su equipo de atención encuentra pólipos rectales o células anormales en el revestimiento del colon y el recto durante una colonoscopia o sigmoidoscopia, tomarán muestras de tejido para realizar más pruebas, lo que se denomina biopsia. Estas muestras se examinan detenidamente bajo un microscopio en el laboratorio para buscar cambios precancerosos o células cancerosas. -
Pruebas de imagen
Pruebas de imagen
Especialmente después de un diagnóstico inicial de cáncer de recto, su médico puede utilizar varios tipos de pruebas de imágenes para ayudar a determinar el estadio del cáncer de recto. Estas pruebas pueden proporcionar imágenes más detalladas de su recto o buscar signos de que el cáncer de recto se ha diseminado a otras áreas del cuerpo.
- CT scan: As a screening for rectal cancer, CT imaging may be used during a CT colonoscopy, also known as a virtual colonoscopy. After a diagnosis, CT scans often help determine how much rectal cancer has spread or how well your treatment is working.
- MRI: After a rectal cancer diagnosis, you may have an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to help with rectal cancer staging. This test uses strong magnets and radio waves to create cross-section images of your body.
- PET/CT scan: This imaging test helps highlight cells in the body that might be cancerous. It’s often used to see if rectal cancer has spread to other places in the body or the lymph nodes, which helps decide the stage of the cancer.
- Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray lets your care team look for signs of rectal cancer spreading to the lungs.
- Angiography: During an angiography, your doctor injects dye into your arteries to provide images of your blood vessels. It’s often used to examine the blood vessels supplying blood to a tumor if bleeding heavily.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasounds create images using sound waves, which are used in several ways in rectal cancer. You may have an endorectal ultrasound that takes images inside the rectum or an abdominal ultrasound to look for signs of cancer spreading to other organs. Intraoperative ultrasound is when an ultrasound is used during surgery.
- Barium enema: A barium enema is a type of X-ray imaging test. During this imaging procedure, barium is inserted into the rectum to coat it and help provide a clear silhouette of the rectum and colon.
Historia médica, historia familiar y examen físico.
Si tiene algún síntoma de cáncer de recto, su médico comenzará haciéndole preguntas sobre sus antecedentes médicos y familiares y realizando un examen físico. Su examen físico puede incluir un examen rectal con un dedo enguantado, donde su médico verifica si hay bultos que se puedan sentir en el recto.Procedimientos endoscópicos
Durante un procedimiento endoscópico, su equipo de atención utiliza un tubo delgado con una luz y una cámara para observar más de cerca el interior del recto. Los dos principales procedimientos de endoscopia utilizados para diagnosticar el cáncer de recto son la colonoscopia y la sigmoidoscopia.
- Colonoscopy: A Colonoscopia provides a view of the inside of the entire colon and rectum. It also allows your doctor to take samples of polyps or tissue in the rectum and send them to the lab to help with a diagnosis.
- Sigmoidoscopy: This endoscopic procedure is similar to a colonoscopy, but instead of viewing the entire colon, your care team only looks at the lower portion of the colon. A sigmoidoscopy also may require taking tissue samples for testing.
Pruebas de heces
Las pruebas de heces buscan signos de sangre o ADN en las heces que podrían ser un signo de cáncer colorrectal o pólipos en el colon o el recto. Por lo general, estas pruebas se realizan desde la comodidad de su hogar, lo que le permite recolectar muestras de heces cuando le resulte conveniente. Si las pruebas de heces son positivas, generalmente van seguidas de una colonoscopia.
- Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT): Fecal occult blood testing looks for blood in the stool and requires multiple samples to be sent to the lab. With this test, you may need to change your medications or diet.
- Fecal immunochemical test (FIT): A fecal immunochemical test is an at-home test to help detect blood in the stool. With this stool test, you’ll collect multiple samples, but you don’t have to change your diet or medications.
- DNA stool test: Along with checking for blood, a DNA stool test also checks for pieces of DNA in the stool that could be signs of rectal cancer.
Biopsias
Si su equipo de atención encuentra pólipos rectales o células anormales en el revestimiento del colon y el recto durante una colonoscopia o sigmoidoscopia, tomarán muestras de tejido para realizar más pruebas, lo que se denomina biopsia. Estas muestras se examinan detenidamente bajo un microscopio en el laboratorio para buscar cambios precancerosos o células cancerosas.Pruebas de imagen
Especialmente después de un diagnóstico inicial de cáncer de recto, su médico puede utilizar varios tipos de pruebas de imágenes para ayudar a determinar el estadio del cáncer de recto. Estas pruebas pueden proporcionar imágenes más detalladas de su recto o buscar signos de que el cáncer de recto se ha diseminado a otras áreas del cuerpo.
- CT scan: As a screening for rectal cancer, CT imaging may be used during a CT colonoscopy, also known as a virtual colonoscopy. After a diagnosis, CT scans often help determine how much rectal cancer has spread or how well your treatment is working.
- MRI: After a rectal cancer diagnosis, you may have an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to help with rectal cancer staging. This test uses strong magnets and radio waves to create cross-section images of your body.
- PET/CT scan: This imaging test helps highlight cells in the body that might be cancerous. It’s often used to see if rectal cancer has spread to other places in the body or the lymph nodes, which helps decide the stage of the cancer.
- Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray lets your care team look for signs of rectal cancer spreading to the lungs.
- Angiography: During an angiography, your doctor injects dye into your arteries to provide images of your blood vessels. It’s often used to examine the blood vessels supplying blood to a tumor if bleeding heavily.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasounds create images using sound waves, which are used in several ways in rectal cancer. You may have an endorectal ultrasound that takes images inside the rectum or an abdominal ultrasound to look for signs of cancer spreading to other organs. Intraoperative ultrasound is when an ultrasound is used during surgery.
- Barium enema: A barium enema is a type of X-ray imaging test. During this imaging procedure, barium is inserted into the rectum to coat it and help provide a clear silhouette of the rectum and colon.
Tipos de cáncer de recto
Existen varios tipos de cáncer de recto, pero la mayoría de los cánceres de recto comienzan en el revestimiento del recto, generalmente como un pólipo rectal. En casos raros, también se pueden desarrollar otros tipos de cáncer en el recto, como tumores carcinoides (tumores neuroendocrinos), tumores del estroma gastrointestinal o linfoma.
Cuando le diagnostican cáncer de recto, su tipo de cáncer es importante para guiarle en decisiones informadas sobre su atención. Su equipo de atención se asociará con usted para crear un plan de tratamiento basado en su tipo, ubicación y etapa del cáncer de recto.
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Adenocarcinoma colorrectal
Casi todos los casos de cáncer colorrectal (aproximadamente el 95 %) son un tipo de adenocarcinoma colorrectal. El adenocarcinoma comienza en las glándulas que recubren los órganos, como el revestimiento del recto. Por lo general, este tipo de cáncer comienza como un pólipo rectal (un área elevada del revestimiento del intestino que se parece a un hongo), llamado adenoma, que se convierte en cáncer. Si se extirpa el pólipo rectal, se puede prevenir el desarrollo de cáncer.
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Tumores carcinoides gastrointestinales
Este tipo de cáncer de recto comienza en las células neuroendocrinas del recto, que son células involucradas en la producción de hormonas. Los tumores carcinoides gastrointestinales tienden a crecer lentamente y son más comunes en otras áreas del sistema digestivo, no en el recto.
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Tipos raros de cáncer de recto
Si bien existen varios otros tipos de cáncer de recto, son poco comunes. En conjunto, estos tipos representan menos del 5 % del total de casos de la afección.
- Primary colorectal lymphomas: Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a cancer that starts in a type of white blood cell called the lymphocytes, which is part of the immune system. While lymphoma can begin in several areas of the body, when it starts in the lymphocytes in the colon or rectum, it’s called primary colorectal lymphoma.
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: In rare cases, cancer forms in a type of cell in the lining of the rectum known as the interstitial cells of Cajal. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) grow slowly, so they may not cause symptoms in the early stages.
- Rectal leiomyosarcomas: When cancer begins in the layers of smooth muscle tissue in the rectum, it’s called rectal leiomyosarcoma. This type of rectal cancer is rare, making up about 0.1% of cases.
- Rectal melanomas: While melanoma is most known as a skin cancer, it’s possible to develop melanoma in the rectum or other parts of the digestive system.
- Colorectal squamous cell carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma usually starts in the skin of the anus but can start in the rectum or colon, which is extremely rare, with less than 100 cases recorded. This type of cancer is usually associated with skin cancer.
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP): People with familial adenomatous polyposis, a rare genetic condition, may develop hundreds of polyps in the colon and rectum. Often, these polyps begin to grow in childhood, and almost all people with FAP have polyps that eventually develop into cancer.
Tratamiento del cáncer de recto
Today, you have many options for your Tratamiento del cáncer de recto. A team of specialists will work together to guide your care based on factors like your medical history, rectal cancer stage and personal preferences. Usually, the earlier you catch rectum cancer, the better options you have for treatment.
One of the most common treatments for rectal cancer is surgery to remove all the cancer or as much of it as possible. Depending on your rectal cancer stage, other treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapy.
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Surgery
Surgery
La cirugía para extirpar el cáncer es una de las principales opciones de tratamiento en cada etapa del cáncer de recto. El tipo de cirugía que le realicen depende de cuánto se haya propagado el cáncer. En muchos casos, nuestros cirujanos le brindan opciones mínimamente invasivas que utilizan incisiones más pequeñas durante la cirugía de cáncer de recto para una recuperación más rápida.
- Local excision: During the earliest stages of rectal cancer, your main treatment may be a procedure to remove the rectal polyp, called a polypectomy, or the local area of cancer in the rectum.
- Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM): Your care team could recommend TEM for early-stage rectal cancer located a little higher in the rectum. This procedure removes cancer without the need for an incision in your abdomen. A scope is inserted through the anus into the rectum to view the tumor, and microsurgical tools are used to remove it.
- Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS): TAMIS is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove a tumor in early-stage rectal cancer that was developed as an alternative to TEM.
- Low anterior resection (LAR): A low anterior resection removes the tumor in your rectum along with part of the rectum. Then, your surgeon can reattach the colon to the remaining rectum, called an anastomosis, to prevent the need for a colostomy. To give your rectum time to heal, you may need a temporary ileostomy with this surgery, where your surgeon connects the small intestine to an opening in the abdomen that allows stool to pass out of your body.
- Proctectomy with coloanal anastomosis: Proctectomy removes all the rectum, including the rectal cancer. It’s often used in deeply invasive rectal cancers. To avoid needing a permanent colostomy, your surgeon will create a coloanal anastomosis, where a small pouch is made at the end of the colon to collect stool to replace the rectum.
- Abdominoperineal resection (APR): This surgical procedure uses an incision in the abdomen and incisions around the anus to remove the rectum, anus and tissues around them. APR surgery is more common in low, larger, deeply invasive rectal cancer and requires a permanent colostomy to allow you to pass stool.
- Diverting colostomy: When cancer blocks the rectum, causing you to be unable to pass stool, your care team may perform a diverting colostomy procedure. This procedure connects the end of the colon to an opening in the abdomen to allow stool to pass out of the body.
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Quimioterapia
Quimioterapia
Quimioterapia is a treatment option for rectal cancer that’s most often used in stage 3 when cancer has spread to lymph nodes (the body’s defense mechanism), and stage 4, when cancer cells have spread to the liver, lungs, or other sites outside the rectum. These drugs help destroy rapidly multiplying cells in the body, including cancer cells.
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: This term refers to chemotherapy used before surgery in rectal cancer, most often to treat any possible spread to other sites.
- Adjuvant chemotherapy: This type of chemotherapy is used after surgery. The goal is to destroy any remaining cancer cells that weren’t removed by the operation and reduce the chances of cancer returning.
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Terapia de radiación
Terapia de radiación
Several types of Terapia de radiación are used to treat rectal cancer, which uses high-energy beams or radiation seeds to destroy cancer. You may have radiation therapy for a few different reasons, such as shrinking a tumor before surgery in conjunction with chemotherapy, and rarely as an alternative to surgery or to relieve the symptoms of rectal cancer.
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Inmunoterapia
Inmunoterapia
Inmunoterapia is a treatment that uses your immune system to help fight rectal cancer. These drugs are used most often in advanced rectal cancer. Checkpoint inhibitors are the most common immunotherapy currently approved by the FDA for certain types of rectal cancer.
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Terapia farmacológica dirigida
Terapia farmacológica dirigida
Monoclonal antibody therapy is a targeted therapy for rectal cancer. It uses specific proteins to help your body recognize and fight cancer cells. Targeted therapies may be used with other treatments or as another option when rectal cancer doesn’t respond to other treatments.
Surgery
La cirugía para extirpar el cáncer es una de las principales opciones de tratamiento en cada etapa del cáncer de recto. El tipo de cirugía que le realicen depende de cuánto se haya propagado el cáncer. En muchos casos, nuestros cirujanos le brindan opciones mínimamente invasivas que utilizan incisiones más pequeñas durante la cirugía de cáncer de recto para una recuperación más rápida.
- Local excision: During the earliest stages of rectal cancer, your main treatment may be a procedure to remove the rectal polyp, called a polypectomy, or the local area of cancer in the rectum.
- Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM): Your care team could recommend TEM for early-stage rectal cancer located a little higher in the rectum. This procedure removes cancer without the need for an incision in your abdomen. A scope is inserted through the anus into the rectum to view the tumor, and microsurgical tools are used to remove it.
- Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS): TAMIS is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove a tumor in early-stage rectal cancer that was developed as an alternative to TEM.
- Low anterior resection (LAR): A low anterior resection removes the tumor in your rectum along with part of the rectum. Then, your surgeon can reattach the colon to the remaining rectum, called an anastomosis, to prevent the need for a colostomy. To give your rectum time to heal, you may need a temporary ileostomy with this surgery, where your surgeon connects the small intestine to an opening in the abdomen that allows stool to pass out of your body.
- Proctectomy with coloanal anastomosis: Proctectomy removes all the rectum, including the rectal cancer. It’s often used in deeply invasive rectal cancers. To avoid needing a permanent colostomy, your surgeon will create a coloanal anastomosis, where a small pouch is made at the end of the colon to collect stool to replace the rectum.
- Abdominoperineal resection (APR): This surgical procedure uses an incision in the abdomen and incisions around the anus to remove the rectum, anus and tissues around them. APR surgery is more common in low, larger, deeply invasive rectal cancer and requires a permanent colostomy to allow you to pass stool.
- Diverting colostomy: When cancer blocks the rectum, causing you to be unable to pass stool, your care team may perform a diverting colostomy procedure. This procedure connects the end of the colon to an opening in the abdomen to allow stool to pass out of the body.
Quimioterapia
Quimioterapia is a treatment option for rectal cancer that’s most often used in stage 3 when cancer has spread to lymph nodes (the body’s defense mechanism), and stage 4, when cancer cells have spread to the liver, lungs, or other sites outside the rectum. These drugs help destroy rapidly multiplying cells in the body, including cancer cells.
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: This term refers to chemotherapy used before surgery in rectal cancer, most often to treat any possible spread to other sites.
- Adjuvant chemotherapy: This type of chemotherapy is used after surgery. The goal is to destroy any remaining cancer cells that weren’t removed by the operation and reduce the chances of cancer returning.
Terapia de radiación
Several types of Terapia de radiación are used to treat rectal cancer, which uses high-energy beams or radiation seeds to destroy cancer. You may have radiation therapy for a few different reasons, such as shrinking a tumor before surgery in conjunction with chemotherapy, and rarely as an alternative to surgery or to relieve the symptoms of rectal cancer.
Inmunoterapia
Inmunoterapia is a treatment that uses your immune system to help fight rectal cancer. These drugs are used most often in advanced rectal cancer. Checkpoint inhibitors are the most common immunotherapy currently approved by the FDA for certain types of rectal cancer.
Terapia farmacológica dirigida
Monoclonal antibody therapy is a targeted therapy for rectal cancer. It uses specific proteins to help your body recognize and fight cancer cells. Targeted therapies may be used with other treatments or as another option when rectal cancer doesn’t respond to other treatments.
Nuestras ubicaciones cerca de usted
Le ayudamos a recibir atención en un lugar que se ajuste a sus necesidades. Ofrecemos varios lugares para su atención, incluida la detección, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento del cáncer de recto en el norte y centro de Texas.
Preguntas frecuentes
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¿Es curable el cáncer de recto?
En sus primeras etapas, el cáncer de recto suele ser curable. La tasa de supervivencia a cinco años para el cáncer de recto localizado o en etapa temprana es del 90 %. Esta es la razón por la que son tan importantes los exámenes de detección del cáncer de recto que detectan los primeros signos de cáncer, antes de que usted tenga síntomas.
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¿Dónde se propaga el cáncer de recto?
Algunos lugares comunes donde se propaga el cáncer de recto en etapa avanzada son el hígado, los pulmones, el cerebro, los ovarios, el revestimiento abdominal o los ganglios linfáticos. Cuando esto sucede, se llama cáncer de recto metastásico, a distancia o en estadio 4.
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¿Cuál es la tasa de supervivencia del cáncer de recto?
La tasa de supervivencia general a cinco años para el cáncer de recto es del 68 %. Sin embargo, la tasa de supervivencia depende del estadio del cáncer de recto. Para el cáncer de recto localizado o en etapa temprana, es el 90 %. Para el cáncer de recto diseminado regionalmente, la tasa es del 74 % y para el cáncer de recto distante o en estadio 4, es del 17 %.
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¿El cáncer de recto se propaga rápidamente?
No Usualmente. El cáncer de recto tiende a desarrollarse lentamente durante varios años. La mayoría de las veces comienza como un pólipo rectal. Cuando se encuentran pólipos rectales antes de que se vuelvan cancerosos, su médico puede extirparlos, lo que ayuda a prevenir el desarrollo del cáncer.
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¿Es lo mismo el cáncer de recto que el cáncer de colon?
No. Los cánceres de recto y colon a menudo se agrupan como cáncer colorrectal porque son similares. Pero el cáncer de recto comienza en el recto, mientras que el cáncer de colon comienza en el colon. También existen algunas diferencias en las opciones de tratamiento y las tasas de recurrencia del cáncer de recto y colon.