University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center Physicians Provide Vital Colorectal Cancer Education for Patients

Colorectal cancer refers to cancer of the large intestine involving either the colon (the majority of the large intestine) or the rectum (located in the last few inches of the large intestine just above the anus). This type of cancer generally starts as a polyp, which is a precancerous growth in the lining of the large intestine, and can turn into a cancerous growth over time. Since cancers of the colon tend to develop differently than cancers of the rectum, the treatments may vary depending on how advanced the tumors are when found.

Types of Colorectal Cancer

The most common type of colorectal cancer is adenocarcinoma, which begins in cells that line certain internal organs and has gland-like (secretory) properties.

In addition to treating colon and rectal adenocarcinomas, UH Seidman Cancer Center physicians also treat:

  • Squamous cell carcinomas of the anus: tumors similar to those that occur with cervical cancer
  • Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): rare fibrous tumors of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Carcinoid tumors: rare tumors that occur in the gastrointestinal tract
  • Melanomas: a common skin tumor that sometimes occurs in the anal canal and rectum
  • Lymphomas: a tumor of the lymphatic system that, in rare cases, may affect the gastrointestinal tract
  • Any other neoplasm of the colon and rectum

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

When colorectal cancer spreads outside the colon or rectum, the cancer cells are most often found in nearby lymph nodes. If cancer cells have reached these nodes, they may also have spread to other organs in the body including the liver and lungs. In advanced rectal cancers, organs close to the rectum like the vagina, prostate or bladder may be involved.

If cancer spreads from its original place to another part of the body, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the original tumor. For example, if colorectal cancer spreads to the liver, the cancer cells in the liver are actually colorectal cancer cells. The disease is called distant or metastatic colorectal cancer, not liver cancer, and is treated as colorectal cancer.