Rectal Cancer
What is rectal cancer?
Rectal cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the rectum, which is the last part of the large intestine. It often starts as small, benign clumps of cells called polyps, which can eventually become cancerous over time. However the majority of benign polyps will not change or progress to rectal cancer.
Our surgeons have a long tradition in treating rectal cancer from early rectal polyps to locally advanced rectal cancers. Our expert consultants in association with the Pelican Cancer Foundation, have lead several National Training Programmes aimed at doctors, surgeons and the wider multidisciplinary healthcare teams involved in the treatment of rectal cancer. Our rectal cancer team has delivered presentations in conferences and seminars throughout the world on various topics in regard to rectal cancer diagnosis and treatment and are still participating in research project in rectal cancer.
We offer a specialised, patient specific service for the diagnosis and treatment of rectal polyps and rectal cancer, from diagnosis, treatment, to postoperative care.
Causes and risk factors of rectal cancer
The exact cause of rectal cancer is not always clear, but several factors can increase the risk of developing rectal cancer such as having a family history of colon or rectal cancer, lifestyles choices such as smoking, being overweight or not doing regular exercise or drinking a lot of alcohol, unhealthy diet such as a diet high in fat and low in fibre and eating excess red meat, having been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis) and more rarely due to inherited conditions such as Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome.
Symptoms of rectal cancer
Unfortunately most patients with rectal cancer have non specific symptoms but can also experience more specific symptoms such as a change in bowel habit (diarrhoea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool) that lasts for more than a few weeks, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, a feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely, weakness or fatigue and unexplained weight loss. If you are concerned about having any of the above symptoms or worried about rectal cancer please get in touch and we will arrange a consultation with one of our surgeons at your convenience.
Rectal cancer diagnosis
Most patients will present with symptoms as described above. Their doctor will take a history and examine them. The gold standard investigation for excluding or diagnosing rectal cancer is endoscopic (camera) examination of the back passage and large bowel with either a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy. If a cancer is found at colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy then a CT scan and an MRI will be organised to help decide what the best treatment approach is the best for your particular tumour and personal circumstances.
Rectal cancer treatment options
Most patients will present with symptoms as described above. Their doctor will take a history and examine them. The gold standard investigation for excluding or diagnosing rectal cancer is endoscopic (camera) examination of the back passage and large bowel with either a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy. If a cancer is found at colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy then a CT scan and an MRI will be organised to help decide what the best treatment approach is the best for your particular tumour and personal circumstances.
1) Local excision – TransAnal-Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS)
We can selectively remove a rectal polyp or an early rectal cancer without the need of a major radical operation. This approach is associated with a structured surveillance programme and sometimes radio-chemotherapy.
2) Radical surgery – Laparoscopic low-anterior resection or total mesorectal excision (TME) - Sphincter-preserving surgery.
When a local excision is not possible, we offer a minimally-invasive approach to remove a rectal cancer with a surgical operation. Usually, we can preserve the anal sphincter avoiding a permanent stoma.
3) Watch and wait approach
In selected cases, rectal cancer can be treated with radio-chemotherapy without the need for an operation. However, a strict surveillance encompassing clinical examination, blood tests, flexi-sigmoidoscopy, MRI, CT is needed.
Postoperative care and surveillance
We fully recognise how stressful can be to recover at home after being discharged from a ward-based protective environment. We offer a structured medical and nurse-based postoperative short- and long-term follow up after surgery to ensure optimal care and surveillance with blood tests, CT, MRI and colonoscopy.
Stoma care
We have a highly skilled team of stoma nurses offering support for patients with a temporary and permanent stoma.
Improving bowel function after rectal cancer surgery
After rectal cancer surgery, patients may develop significant change in their bowel habit which can be highly disruptive and have a significant impact on their quality of life. Symptoms include urgency, fragmentated defecation, constipation, and incontinence. We offer expert advice to help improving bowel function and minimise any negative impact on social life and work-related commitments.
Second Opinion
We run a specialist multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) to discuss Significant Polyp and Early Colorectal Cancer (SPECC) and Rectal Cancer to provide a second opinion and offer a personalised care planning. If you would like us to provide you with a second opinion please get in touch with our team and we will contact you back as soon as possible. Please visit our second opinion page for more details.
Contact Us
Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step towards better health.
Basingstoke Colorectal
The Hampshire Clinic
Basing Road
Basingstoke RG24 7AL
Call us
01256 354747