Colorectal cancer

There are two types of colorectal cancer: colon cancer and rectal/anal cancer. Colon cancer is found in the large intestine and the lower part of the digestive system. Rectal/anal cancer is found in the last several inches of the colon.

Most colorectal cancers start as benign clumps of cells found in the colon called adenomatous polyps. Over time, some of these polyps can become colon cancer. The vast majority of polyps are small and rarely produce any symptoms. Doctors recommend regular screenings, including colonoscopies, to help prevent colon cancer by identifying polyps before they become cancerous.

There are very few warning signs of colon cancer during the early stages of the disease. As the cancer spreads, symptoms are more likely to appear and will vary depending on the size and location of the cancerous cells.

Some of the symptoms associated with colorectal cancer include:

• Abdominal discomfort that lasts for more than a few days
• Bloody stool
• Inconsistency in bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation
• Unexplained weight loss

If you've been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, your cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you. Your particular course of treatment depends on the current stage your cancer, and could consist of one or more of the following:

• Chemotherapy
• Medications
• Radiation therapy
• Surgery

Our full change of available diagnostics and services across our facilities includes:

• Advanced endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to more precisely diagnose cancers
• Cancer support services, and access to local and national support groups
• Colorectal nurse navigator to guide you through your cancer journey
• Enhanced surgical recovery (ESR) program to speed up recovery and ensure you are actively involved in your recovery
• Genetic counseling
• Oncologic rehabilitation
• Ostomy services
• Robotic surgery
• Screening and diagnostic colonoscopy

As part of our colorectal cancer services, we also offer ostomy surgery and support services. Ostomy surgery is a procedure that reroutes bodily waste from its usual path. If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and require advanced treatment, you may also benefit from ostomy surgery. We offer several options for ostomy surgery, including:

• Colostomy
• Ileostomy
• Urostomy

If you receive an ostomy procedure, our teams at Methodist Hospital and Methodist Hospital Specialty and Transplant offer follow up care and ongoing support, including our outpatient ostomy clinics that help you navigate life post-surgery.

Other ostomy services we offer include:

• Preoperative services including stoma site selection and general education.
• Inpatient services that also include postoperative education with hands-on demonstrations that will help you to identify properly fitting products and will also connect you to resources and community support.
• Outpatient clinics that will troubleshoot leakage and skin breakdown issues, identify properly fitting products, assess for changes in weight, abdominal contours or mobility issues and assist with difficulty obtaining ostomy supplies.