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At Dana-Farber Brigham 91精品, our experts work together to provide the most advanced care for patients with rectal cancer. Every patient receives a personalized treatment plan based on the latest diagnostic tools and therapies. Your care team may include medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and colon and rectal surgeons—each of whom specializes in treating rectal cancer. We focus not only on curing the cancer but also on supporting your overall well-being and helping you maintain as much normal function as possible throughout treatment.

Our specialists are internationally recognized leaders in rectal cancer care. Because rectal cancer can affect important body functions, it’s essential to have a surgeon with extensive training and expertise who understands how to treat the cancer while helping preserve your ability to function normally.

Rectal cancer is also more common than many people realize—it is the fourth most common cancer in the U.S., and about one in four new cases are diagnosed in people under age 50.

What Is Rectal Cancer?

Rectal cancer begins in the rectum, which is the last six inches of the large intestine. The large intestine is about four feet long and has two main parts: the colon and the rectum. The colon absorbs water from stool, and the rectum stores the stool until it leaves the body during a bowel movement.

Most rectal cancers start as small, non-cancerous growths called polyps. Over many years—usually 5-10 —these polyps can slowly change into cancer. The most common kind of polyp that can turn into cancer is called an adenoma.

Even though rectal and colon cancer are often grouped together as colorectal cancer, they are not exactly the same. They are treated differently because of where the rectum is located. It sits in a tight space near other important organs, which can make surgery more complex.

When found early, rectal cancer usually stays in the rectum. But if it’s not treated, it can spread to other parts of the body, most often the liver or lungs.

Types of Rectal Cancer

• Adenocarcinoma: This is the most common type of rectal cancer. It starts in the cells that line the inside of the rectum.
• Carcinoid Tumors: These tumors begin in cells that make hormones in the intestines. They grow slowly and are not very common.
• Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs): These are rare in the rectum. They start in the soft tissues of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, like the walls of the intestine.
• Lymphoma: Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system. While it usually begins in the lymph nodes, it can sometimes start in the rectum.
• Hereditary Rectal Cancer: About 5 to 10 percent of rectal cancers are caused by inherited gene mutations. If rectal cancer runs in your family, your doctor may recommend genetic testing to better understand your risk.

What Causes Rectal Cancer?

The exact cause of rectal cancer isn’t always clear. It happens when cells in the rectum change and start growing uncontrollably. Normally, DNA inside cells gives instructions on when to grow and when to stop. But when cancer develops, these instructions change, causing cells to grow too fast and live longer than they should.
As these abnormal cells build up, they can form a tumor. Over time, the tumor may grow into nearby healthy tissue. In some cases, cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastatic cancer.