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.

Other Voices

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Does rectal cancer require chemotherapy?

The question of whether chemotherapy is necessary for rectal cancer needs to be analyzed specifically, taking into account factors such as the patient's physical condition, pathological staging, and whether the surgery was completely successful. Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer can be divided into adjuvant chemotherapy and palliative chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer, and it can also serve to enhance the effects of radiotherapy. For low rectal cancer, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy can be administered if the tumor cannot be directly removed, followed by surgery after the treatment. If surgery is possible for rectal cancer, and there is lymph node metastasis or the pathological stage is relatively advanced, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy can be performed. Therefore, the need for chemotherapy in cases of rectal cancer should ideally be assessed at a specialized oncology department in a hospital to provide a detailed analysis and evaluation by oncologists.

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Written by Zhang Yan Kai
Family Medicine
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Is a faint pain below the center of the lower abdomen indicative of rectal cancer?

There is a vague pain just below the middle of the lower abdomen, and although there is a possibility of rectal cancer, it is not necessarily certain to be rectal cancer. There are many reasons for pain in this area; common causes to consider include intestinal infection or intestinal spasms and obstruction. Tumors can also cause pain in this area. In women, pain just below the middle of the lower abdomen also needs to exclude the possibility of pelvic inflammatory disease or gynecological inflammation, etc. It is necessary to complete examinations such as a color ultrasound and an upright abdominal plain film for confirmation. If the pain occurs repeatedly, further examinations including a complete blood count, inflammatory markers, and other relevant inflammation tests should also be completed for a clear diagnosis.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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What are the late-stage symptoms of rectal cancer?

The late-stage symptoms of rectal cancer patients in clinical practice mainly include the following types. The first type is abdominal symptoms caused locally by rectal cancer. For example: bloody stools, pass stools with mucous and pus, anal pain, bloating, abdominal pain, and other manifestations. The second category of symptoms is those from metastases in various locations. For example, bone metastases cause bone pain and limb movement disorders. Lung metastases cause chest tightness, shortness of breath after activity, chest pain, breathing difficulties, coughing and coughing up blood, etc. Brain metastases cause headaches, dizziness, and seizures. The third category of symptoms is mainly systemic symptoms caused by rectal cancer lesions, such as: weight loss, fatigue, and high fever.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Rectal cancer stage III

Rectal cancer staging is based on the TNM system. "T" refers to the primary tumor, and its stage depends on which layer of the bowel wall the tumor has invaded. "N" is based on whether there are lymph node metastases and the number of lymph nodes involved. "M" indicates whether there are metastases to distant organs. Staging is determined according to the TNM situation, where Stage I is the earliest and Stage IV is the latest. Stage III indicates lymph node metastasis without distant organ metastases, such as to the liver or lungs. In such cases, irrespective of whether T is T1 to T4, if there is lymph node involvement without distant organ metastasis, it is staged as Stage III.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Stage IV rectal cancer

In the staging of rectal cancer, we generally use the TNM staging system clinically. "T" refers to the primary tumor, "N" indicates whether there is lymph node metastasis, and staging is based on the status of the lymph nodes. "M" indicates whether there is distant metastasis. Stage IV refers to any stage of "T" and any stage of "N", as long as there is distant metastasis, such as rectal cancer metastasizing to the liver, lungs, or bones. When these distant organ metastases occur, the staging is M1, any "T", any "N", M1. This scenario is stage IV, indicating the presence of distant organ metastasis and represents advanced stage rectal cancer patients.