GEM Cancer Centre

What is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer or rectal cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum, which are parts of the digestive system and together form the large intestine. It is one of the most common types of cancer in men and women worldwide.

Signs and Symptoms

Change in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation or narrower stools lasting more than a few days
Blood in stool
Unexplained weight loss
Persistent abdominal discomfort such as cramps, gas or pain
Feeling that the bowel doesn’t empty completely
Fatigue or weakness due to blood loss or anemia

Cause and risk factors:

Colorectal cancer develops when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the colon or rectum. While the exact cause is not always known, several lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors are known to increase the risk.

Risk increases significantly after the age of 50.
Family and personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
Diets high in red or processed meats and low in fiber, fruits and vegetables can contribute to risk.
Being overweight increases the risk, especially in men.
Long-term smoking and heavy alcohol consumption.

Treatment options:

Treatment for colorectal cancer depends on the stage of the cancer, its location, and the overall health of the patient. A combination of therapies is often used to achieve the best outcome.

Surgery: The most common treatment for localized colorectal cancer. It includes removal of cancerous sections of the colon or rectum (colectomy or proctectomy) and possibly nearby lymph nodes.
Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop their growth. Often used after surgery (adjuvant) or before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink tumors.
Radiation Therapy: High-energy beams target and destroy cancer cells. Commonly used for rectal cancer, especially before surgery, to reduce tumor size.
Targeted Therapy: Medications that specifically target cancer cell markers (like EGFR or VEGF) without harming normal cells. Often used in advanced stages or when standard treatments are less effective.
Palliative Care: Focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with advanced cancer. May include pain management, nutritional support or psychological counseling.

Gem Cancer Centre takes pride as Gem Hospital , the parent organisation has perfumed more than 3000 laparoscopic/robotic colorectal cancer surgeries , the largest in India.Prof C Palanivelu, Dr Rajpandian and his team have personally trained 100s of surgeons in the field of minimal access oncological surgery