Is rectal cancer hereditary?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on December 29, 2024
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This answer is also possible, as one of the causes of any cancer includes the possibility of genetics. However, this possibility is generally small and not everyone is likely to have it. It also depends on the incidence of disease within the entire family. If one is in a high-risk category due to certain genetic factors, then it is crucial to have regular and thorough follow-up checks. Some people might even try treatments specifically targeting genetically inherited colorectal cancer.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Is rectal cancer hereditary?

This answer is also possible, as one of the causes of any cancer includes the possibility of genetics. However, this possibility is generally small and not everyone is likely to have it. It also depends on the incidence of disease within the entire family. If one is in a high-risk category due to certain genetic factors, then it is crucial to have regular and thorough follow-up checks. Some people might even try treatments specifically targeting genetically inherited colorectal cancer.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Can colorectal cancer be inherited?

Can rectal cancer be inherited? Rectal cancer is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the rectum. Genetic factors are among the causes of rectal cancer, but they are not absolute. The proportion of genetic factors in the occurrence of rectal cancer is relatively small. Most causes are related to inhalative lesions of the rectum, and also linked to the patient's lifestyle, bowel habits, etc., which can lead to the occurrence of rectal cancer. So, there is a genetic component, but the likelihood is low. Therefore, for patients with familial hereditary diseases or families where multiple people have rectal cancer, it is important to conduct timely re-examinations with colonoscopies or to perform some genetic screening.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Is anal pain and rectal bleeding indicative of rectal cancer?

Pain in the anal area, accompanied by blood in the stool, does not necessarily indicate rectal cancer. There are many causes of pain and bloody stools, which require identification and diagnosis through the color of the bloody stools, digital rectal examination, and colonoscopy. Common causes of bright red bloody stools or pain are mainly due to hemorrhoids and anal fissures. During the onset of rectal cancer, early stages generally do not involve pain in the anal area. It is mainly characterized by changes in bowel habits, or dark red blood in the stool in the middle to late stages. The tumor may grow larger, causing difficulty in defecation, and may even induce systemic symptoms such as weight loss, anemia, and intestinal obstruction.

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Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
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Is anal canal cancer considered a type of rectal cancer?

Anal canal cancer can also be considered a type of rectal cancer, specifically the type located near the anus, referred to as anal canal cancer. Generally, anal canal cancer may have a higher malignancy level, and its initial main symptoms include rectal bleeding and changes in stool characteristics, such as narrower stools. There may also be a sensation of heaviness and pain in the anal area. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through a digital rectal examination and a biopsy. If necessary, an anoscopy and other common examinations can be conducted to check for lesions in other parts of the intestine. Generally, the prognosis for anal canal cancer is not as favorable as for other types of rectal or colon cancer.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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What medicine to take for diarrhea caused by rectal cancer?

Diarrhea is a common symptom of rectal cancer. For symptomatic treatment, we can take medications such as montmorillonite powder or loperamide to alleviate diarrhea, and use probiotics like Bifidobacterium triple or quadruple live bacteria to regulate intestinal flora. However, these treatments only alleviate symptoms rather than cure the underlying disease. The key is to control the rectal cancer itself. Treating the tumor is the fundamental solution. Only when the tumor is under control will the patient's diarrhea symptoms be relieved. Otherwise, even if the symptoms are alleviated by antidiarrheal drugs, if the tumor is not controlled, symptoms including diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain will recur and may even worsen.