A cancer diagnosis is one of the most difficult things you can face in life. At Orange County CyberKnife, we believe there’s always hope. As a premier cancer treatment facility in the Orange County area, we treat cancers of all types and stages with world-class medical technology and a qualified, experienced team of experts. We take a compassionate approach to colorectal cancer surgery, designing treatment plans that work with your lifestyle and provide the necessary support to thrive during treatment. No matter what you’re up against, Orange County CyberKnife is your partner in beating cancer and reclaiming your life.
Colorectal cancer refers to cancers occurring in the latter portion of the digestive tract. It’s one of the most common forms of cancer, and it’s particularly common for adults over 50. While potentially fatal, it’s usually treatable with early detection and effective colorectal cancer treatment. Though there may be no obvious signs, which can make it difficult to diagnose without regular screenings, a few symptoms of colorectal cancer include:
Though colorectal cancer can affect anybody, there are a few risk factors that increase the likelihood of its development, including the following:
Because colorectal cancer has few obvious identifying symptoms, the best way to diagnose it is through regular screenings. We may use a variety of methods to detect and diagnose colorectal cancer, including:
At Orange County CyberKnife, we’re committed to helping you beat colorectal cancer. To find out more about our facility, schedule a consultation, or get a second opinion, call us at 714-962-7100 or reach out online.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer for both men and women, and over 100,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year. The most significant risk factor for colorectal cancer is age, as 90% of cases occur in patients over 50. That said, colorectal cancer can develop at any age, and other risk factors include a diet full of red meat and low in fruits and vegetables, obesity or physical inactivity, excessive smoking and drinking, or a previous history of colorectal cancer, colon polyps, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s Disease. There are no distinctive symptoms of colorectal cancer, but a patient may experience any of the following:
Most cases of colorectal cancer are found through routine screenings. We may use any of the following tests to determine if colorectal cancer is present:
If an exam finds polyps or other abnormal areas, we’ll perform a biopsy, in which we remove a small piece of tissue from the abnormal area and examine it in a lab. If the biopsy shows colorectal cancer is present, we’ll also need to perform other tests to determine if the cancer has spread.
In general, we’ll normally use surgical methods to treat cancers of the colon or rectum. If the cancer hasn’t metastasized (spread), surgery may be enough to treat the cancer on its own, but if it has spread, treatment will require other methods as well. These other treatments generally include chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which may be given separately or together either before or after the surgery. Your treatment method will depend on the stage of the cancer, the size and location of the tumor, and your general health conditions.
Radiation therapy is an advanced form of cancer treatment that uses controlled, precisely-measured doses of radiation (light energy) on a tumor to prevent the spread of cancer, control the growth of a tumor, cure the cancer itself, or to ease certain symptoms. Radiation therapy prevents cancer cells from multiplying, effectively stopping the spread of a tumor. Once the cancer cells die off, they’re eliminated naturally by the body. If your doctor prescribes you with radiation therapy, you’ll receive radiation treatments five days a week for about 6 weeks, although the exact length of treatment will vary depending on your condition. At OC CyberKnife, we use one of the most advanced, effective radiation therapy systems in the world, helping to maximize the effectiveness of your treatment while minimizing side effects.
Most patients experience few or no side effects, but radiation therapy for colorectal cancer may come with any of the following side effects:
Side effects are generally controllable and fade after treatment is completed. We’ll work with you to help you manage side effects during your treatment.
While CyberKnife is one of the most powerful cancer treatments in the world, cancer treatment of any kind can be draining on a mental and physical level. It’s important to take special care of yourself during treatment by doing things like:
At OC CyberKnife, our mission is to help each one of our patients overcome cancer and reclaim a healthy, vibrant life. If you or a loved one feel you may be suffering from colorectal cancer or have recently been diagnosed, take heart: there is hope and we are here to help. Feel free to call us at 714.962.7100 with any questions, or if you’d like to schedule a consultation, just reach out to us at our contact page. We can’t wait to hear from you, and we look forward to helping you eliminate your cancer and achieve total health and wellbeing
Most colorectal cancers begin as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum called a polyp. Some types of polyps can change into cancer over the course of several years, but not all polyps become cancer. The chance of changing into a cancer depends on the kind of polyp. The 2 main types of polyps are:
Dysplasia, another precancerous condition, is an area in a polyp or in the lining of the colon or rectum where the cells look abnormal (but not like true cancer cells).
If cancer forms in a polyp, it can eventually begin to grow into the wall of the colon or rectum
The wall of the colon and rectum is made up of several layers. Colorectal cancer starts in the innermost layer (the mucosa) and can grow through some or all of the other layers. When cancer cells are in the wall, they can then grow into blood vessels or lymph vessels (tiny channels that carry away waste and fluid). From there, they can travel to nearby lymph nodes or to distant parts of the body.
The stage (extent of spread) of a colorectal cancer depends on how deeply it grows into the wall and if it has spread outside the colon or rectum
In general, it is very uncommon for young people to get colorectal cancer if there is no family history and if the person is under 30. However, there are two wellrecognized hereditary syndromes in which cancer can develop in young people. The first is Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP). This is a disease in which affected people develop hundreds to thousands of precancerous polyps in the colon. Unless the colon is removed, 100% of these patients will get colorectal cancer, usually by their late 30s. The disease is inherited directly from an affected parent (autosomal dominant inheritance), and the average age for polyp development in this syndrome is the midteens.
Anyone can get colorectal cancer. Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Nearly 137,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year and over 50,000 die. It is overall the third most common cause of cancer death in the U.S., behind lung cancer and breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. When men and women are considered separately, colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in either sex.
Very little hard data exists indicating that consumption of lactose products or that lactose intolerance is a risk factor for colorectal cancer. However, much new literature suggests that probiotic therapy is healthy and that the microflora of the colon may be altered by dietary dairy products so that the risk for colon cancer is lessened.
No, there is no known correlation. Colorectal cancer is at least as common in men as women, but women tend to have longer colons.
There is no association between stomach (gastric) cancer and colon cancer, except in individuals with Hereditary NonPolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC). This is a rare genetic syndrome in which affected individuals are at risk of colorectal cancer, as well as other cancers including gastric cancer, at a young age. Individuals with a strong family history of colorectal cancer, or colon cancer and endometrial (uterus) cancer, may have this syndrome and may warrant genetic testing and/or screening with colonoscopy. Family history is defined as three or more affected relatives spanning two generations with at least one affected relative under age 50. Patients with familial polyposis also have an increased risk of gastric cancer. A personal or family history of stomach cancer should not be confused with colorectal cancer.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional problem of the gut, usually characterized by patterns of diarrhea and loose stools alternating with constipation. IBS may also be associated with abdominal cramping and pain. IBS is not associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Patients with IBS have normal life expectancies but should follow the recommended screening guidelines appropriate to their population. If your IBS symptoms change from their usual behavior or regular pattern, or if you see blood in your stool, notify your physician and gastroenterologist.
In general, it is very uncommon for young people to get colorectal cancer if there is no family history and if the person is under 30. However, there are two wellrecognized hereditary syndromes in which cancer can develop in young people. The first is Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP). This is a disease in which affected people develop hundreds to thousands of precancerous polyps in the colon. Unless the colon is removed, 100% of these patients will get colorectal cancer, usually by their late 30s. The disease is inherited directly from an affected parent (autosomal dominant inheritance), and the average age for polyp development in this syndrome is the midteens.