Colorectal Cancer | Colon Cancer | Rectal Cancer

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itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Home</span></a> → <meta itemprop="position" content="1"/> </div> <div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Health Topics</span></a> → <meta itemprop="position" content="2"/> </div> <div> <span>Colorectal Cancer</span> </div> </div> </div> <span class="page-url print-only">URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/colorectalcancer.html</span> <div id="topic"> <article> <div class="page-info"> <div class="page-title syndicate"> <a id="start" name="start"></a> <h1 itemprop="name" class="with-also"> Colorectal Cancer </h1> <span class="alsocalled">Also called: Colon cancer, Rectal cancer</span> </div> <div class="page-actions"></div> </div> <div class="main"> <section id="toc-section"> <div id="table-of-contents"> <span class="toc-label">On this page</span> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Basics</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Summary" href="#summary">Summary</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Start Here" href="#cat_51">Start Here</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Symptoms" href="#cat_95">Symptoms</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Diagnosis and Tests" href="#cat_92">Diagnosis and Tests</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Prevention and Risk Factors" href="#cat_93">Prevention and Risk Factors</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Treatments and Therapies" href="#cat_78">Treatments and Therapies</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Learn More</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Living With" href="#cat_77">Living With</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Related Issues" href="#cat_47">Related Issues</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Genetics" href="#cat_46">Genetics</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p class="evencols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>See, Play and Learn</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Images" href="#cat_80">Images</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Health Check Tools" href="#cat_48">Health Check Tools</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Videos and Tutorials" href="#cat_94">Videos and Tutorials</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Test Your Knowledge" href="#cat_65">Test Your Knowledge</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p class="threecols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Research</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Statistics and Research" href="#cat_79">Statistics and Research</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Clinical Trials" href="#cat_27">Clinical Trials</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Journal Articles" href="#cat_59">Journal Articles</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p class="evencols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Resources</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Reference Desk" href="#cat_82">Reference Desk</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Find an Expert" href="#cat_83">Find an Expert</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>For You</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Children" href="#cat_8">Children</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Patient Handouts" href="#cat_69">Patient Handouts</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="summary"></a> <section id="topsum_section"> <div class="summary-title syndicate"> <h2>Summary</h2> </div> <div id="topic-summary" class="syndicate"><h3>What is colorectal cancer?</h3> <p>Colorectal cancer is cancer that develops in the tissues of the colon or rectum. Your colon and rectum are part of your digestive system:</p> <ul> <li>Your colon is the first and longest part of your large intestine. It absorbs water and some nutrients from foods. It also changes the leftover waste products into stool (poop).</li> <li>Your rectum is the lower part of your large intestine. It's where your body stores stool.</li> </ul> <p>Cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer, and cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Cancer that affects either of these parts may also be called colorectal cancer.</p> <h3>What causes colorectal cancer?</h3> <p>Colorectal cancer happens when there are <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/mutationsanddisorders/genemutation/">changes in your genetic material (DNA)</a>. These changes are also called mutations or variants. Often, the genetic changes that lead to colorectal cancer happen during your lifetime and the exact cause is unknown. But certain genetic changes that raise your risk for colorectal cancer are inherited, meaning that you are born with them.</p> <p>Besides genetics, other factors, including your lifestyle and the environment, can affect your risk of colorectal cancer.</p> <h3>Who is more likely to develop colorectal cancer?</h3> <p>Anyone can get colorectal cancer, but certain factors make you more likely to develop it:</p> <ul> <li>Being older; your risk of getting colorectal cancer increases as you age.</li> <li>Having a personal or family history of colorectal cancer.</li> <li>Having a history of adenomas. Adenomas are colorectal <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/colonicpolyps.html">polyps</a> (growths) that look abnormal under a microscope or are 1 centimeter or larger. Adenomas are not cancer, but they can sometimes turn into cancer over time.</li> <li>Having a genetic syndrome such as <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/familial-adenomatous-polyposis/">familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)</a> or <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/lynch-syndrome/">Lynch syndrome</a> (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer).</li> <li>Having chronic <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ulcerativecolitis.html">ulcerative colitis</a> or <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/crohnsdisease.html">Crohn disease</a> for 8 years or more.</li> <li>Having three or more <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/alcohol.html">alcoholic drinks</a> per day.</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/smoking.html">Smoking cigarettes</a>.</li> <li>Being Black; Black people have an increased risk of colorectal cancer and death from colorectal cancer compared to other races.</li> <li>Having <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/obesity.html">obesity</a>.</li> </ul> <h3>What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?</h3> <p>Colorectal cancer may not always cause symptoms, especially at first. If you do have symptoms, they could include:</p> <ul> <li>A change in bowel habits that lasts more than a few days, such as: <ul> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/diarrhea.html">Diarrhea</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/constipation.html">Constipation</a></li> <li>Feeling that the bowel does not empty completely</li> <li>Your stool is narrower or has a different shape than usual</li> </ul> </li> <li>Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool</li> <li>Frequent <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/gas.html">gas</a> pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps</li> <li>Weight loss for no known reason</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/fatigue.html">Fatigue</a></li> </ul> <h3>What is screening for colorectal cancer and who needs it?</h3> <p>Because colorectal cancer may not cause symptoms at first, it's important to have <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/colorectal-cancer-screening-tests/">screening tests for colorectal cancer</a>. Screening tests look for signs of a disease before you have any symptoms. They can help find cancer early, when it may be easier to treat.</p> <p>Most experts recommend that start screenings at 45 and continue until at least age 75. People over 75 and those who are at high risk should talk to their providers about how often you need screening and what type of test they should get.</p> <p> The types of tests include different stool tests and procedures such as <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/colonoscopy.html">colonoscopies</a> and flexible sigmoidoscopy. Talk with your provider about how often you need screening and what type of test you should get.</p> <h3>How is colorectal cancer diagnosed?</h3> <p>If you have symptoms that could be caused by colorectal cancer or if your screening test results are abnormal, you may need to have more tests to find out if you have cancer. Possible tests include:</p> <ul> <li>A physical exam.</li> <li>A digital rectal exam. For this exam, your provider inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum to feel for lumps or anything unusual.</li> <li>The tests that are also used for screening (colonoscopy, stool tests, etc.) and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/biopsy.html">biopsy</a>, if you have not already had them.</li> <li>Other blood and tissue tests.</li> </ul> <h3>What are the treatments for colorectal cancer?</h3> <p>Your treatment options usually depend on your age, your general health, how serious the cancer is, and which type of cancer you have.</p> <p>For <strong>colon cancer</strong>, your treatment may include one or more of these options:</p> <ul> <li>Surgery.</li> <li>Radiofrequency ablation, a procedure that uses radio waves to heat and destroy abnormal cells. The radio waves travel through electrodes (small devices that carry electricity).</li> <li>Cryosurgery, a procedure in which an extremely cold liquid or an instrument called a cryoprobe is used to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue.</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/cancerchemotherapy.html">Chemotherapy</a>.</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/radiationtherapy.html">Radiation therapy</a>.</li> <li>Targeted therapy, which uses drugs or other substances that mainly attack specific cancer cells and cause less harm to normal cells.</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/cancerimmunotherapy.html">Immunotherapy</a>.</li> </ul> <p>For <strong>rectal cancer</strong>, your treatment may include one or more of these options:</p> <ul> <li>Surgery.</li> <li>Radiation therapy.</li> <li>Chemotherapy.</li> <li>Active surveillance, which means having regular tests to see if your rectal cancer has changed. If the tests show the cancer is starting to grow, then you will have treatment to try to cure the cancer.</li> <li>Targeted therapy, which uses drugs or other substances that mainly attack specific cancer cells and cause less harm to normal cells.</li> <li>Immunotherapy.</li> </ul> <h3>Can colorectal cancer be prevented?</h3> <p>Avoiding the risk factors that you have control over may help prevent some cancers. That includes:</p> <ul> <li>Not smoking</li> <li>Limiting alcohol to under three drinks per day</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/weightcontrol.html">Managing your weight</a></li> </ul> <p>There are also other steps you can take to try to prevent colorectal cancer. They include:</p> <ul> <li>Getting regular colorectal cancer screenings</li> <li>Having polyps removed before they can become cancerous</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/howmuchexercisedoineed.html">Getting regular exercise</a></li> </ul></div> </section> <a name="cat_51"></a> <section id="cat_51_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header expanded"> <div class="section-title syndicate"> <h2>Start Here </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section51" class="section-body expanded syndicate" aria-expanded="true"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/colon-treatment-pdq#_93" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="1906" data-org="NCI">General Information about Colon Cancer</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/tipos/colorrectal/paciente/tratamiento-colorrectal-pdq#_93" data-sid="3532">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/rectal-treatment-pdq#_92" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="2247" data-org="NCI">General Information about Rectal Cancer</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/tipos/colorrectal/paciente/tratamiento-rectal-pdq#_92" data-sid="3533">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/about/what-is-colorectal-cancer.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="3334" >What Is Colorectal Cancer?</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Cancer Society)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/tipos/cancer-de-colon-o-recto/acerca/que-es-cancer-de-colon-o-recto.html" data-sid="14067">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_95"></a> <section id="cat_95_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Symptoms </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section95" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="158613" >Colorectal Cancer Signs and Symptoms</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Cancer Society)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/tipos/cancer-de-colon-o-recto/deteccion-diagnostico-clasificacion-por-etapas/senales-y-sintomas.html" data-sid="35687">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_92"></a> <section id="cat_92_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Diagnosis and Tests </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section92" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100049_1.htm" data-sid="98016" >Abdominal exploration - series</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/esp_presentations/100049_1.htm" data-sid="97909">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/anoscopy/" data-sid="145648" data-org="NLM">Anoscopy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/anoscopia/" data-sid="145668">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/at-home-medical-tests/" data-sid="151886" data-org="NLM">At-Home Medical Tests</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/pruebas-medicas-en-el-hogar/" data-sid="151896">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cea-test/" data-sid="134352" data-org="NLM">CEA Test</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/prueba-de-ace/" data-sid="134357">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/colonoscopy.html" data-sid="75657" data-org="NLM">Colonoscopy: MedlinePlus Health Topic</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/colonoscopy.html" data-sid="76374">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/colorectal-screening-pdq#_13" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="115508" data-org="NCI">Colorectal Cancer Screening</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/tipos/colorrectal/paciente/deteccion-colorrectal-pdq#section/_13" data-sid="115859">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/colorectal-cancer-screening-tests/" data-sid="152666" data-org="NLM">Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/pruebas-de-deteccion-de-cancer-colorrectal/" data-sid="160128">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/fecal-occult-blood-test-fobt/" data-sid="129585" data-org="NLM">Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/prueba-de-sangre-oculta-en-heces/" data-sid="129675">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://odphp.health.gov/myhealthfinder/doctor-visits/screening-tests/get-screened-colorectal-cancer" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="76521" >Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="79" height="11" alt="Easy-to-Read" title="Easy-to-Read" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/easyreadgreen.gif" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://odphp.health.gov/espanol/myhealthfinder/visitas-doctor/pruebas-deteccion/hagase-pruebas-deteccion-temprana-cancer-colorrectal" data-sid="157566">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/lower-gi-series" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="1909" data-org="NIDDK">Lower GI Series (Barium Enema)</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/informacion-de-la-salud/pruebas-diagnosticas/transito-gastrointestinal-inferior" data-sid="93810">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/colorectal-screening-pdq#_48" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="115509" data-org="NCI">Risks of Colorectal Cancer Screening</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/tipos/colorrectal/paciente/deteccion-colorrectal-pdq#_48" data-sid="115858">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/screening-fact-sheet" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="38688" data-org="NCI">Screening Tests to Detect Colorectal Cancer and Polyps</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/tipos/colorrectal/hoja-informativa-deteccion" data-sid="9961">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/colon-treatment-pdq#_112" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="115505" data-org="NCI">Stages of Colon Cancer</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/tipos/colorrectal/paciente/tratamiento-colorrectal-pdq#_112" data-sid="116659">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/rectal-treatment-pdq#_111" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="115506" data-org="NCI">Stages of Rectal Cancer</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/tipos/colorrectal/paciente/tratamiento-rectal-pdq#_111" data-sid="116660">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/stool-dna-test/about/pac-20385153?p=1" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="78016" >Stool DNA Test</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/tests-procedures/stool-dna-test/about/pac-20385153?p=1" data-sid="133066">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/tumor-marker-tests/" data-sid="132512" data-org="NLM">Tumor Marker Tests</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/marcadores-tumorales/" data-sid="132530">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_93"></a> <section id="cat_93_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Prevention and Risk Factors </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section93" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/FOH-colon-cleansing.h12-1589835.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="49581" >Colon Cleansing: Health or Hype?</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/colorectal-prevention-pdq#_14" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="115507" data-org="NCI">Colorectal Cancer Prevention</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/tipos/colorrectal/paciente/prevencion-colorrectal-pdq#_14" data-sid="116661">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="160605" >Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Cancer Society)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/tipos/cancer-de-colon-o-recto/causas-riesgos-prevencion/factores-de-riesgo.html" data-sid="160606">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer/risk-factors/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="114703" >Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer/es/risk-factors/" data-sid="115253">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer/talking-to-doctor/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="114707" >Talking with Your Doctor about Colorectal Cancer</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer/es/talking-to-doctor/" data-sid="115252">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_78"></a> <section id="cat_78_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Treatments and Therapies </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section78" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100011_1.htm" data-sid="97837" >Colostomy - series</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/esp_presentations/100011_1.htm" data-sid="98031">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/colorectal" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="97275" data-org="NCI">Drugs Approved for Colon and Rectal Cancer</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.sages.org/publications/patient-information/patient-information-for-laparoscopic-colon-resection-from-sages/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="11296" >Laparoscopic Colon Resection</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.sages.org/publications/patient-information/reseccion-laparoscopica-de-colon-informacion-para-el-paciente-de-parte-de-su-medico-y-de-sages/" data-sid="61251">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100089_1.htm" data-sid="97779" >Large bowel resection - Series</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/esp_presentations/100089_1.htm" data-sid="97875">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/ostomy-surgery-bowel" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="1812" data-org="NIDDK">Ostomy Surgery of the Bowel</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/colon-treatment-pdq#_135" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="115721" data-org="NCI">Treatment Option Overview (Colon Cancer)</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/rectal-treatment-pdq#_135" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="115510" data-org="NCI">Treatment Option Overview (Rectal Cancer)</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/tipos/colorrectal/paciente/tratamiento-rectal-pdq#_135" data-sid="116725">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_77"></a> <section id="cat_77_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Living With </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section77" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/after-treatment/living.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="126689" >Living as a Colorectal Cancer Survivor</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Cancer Society)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/tipos/cancer-de-colon-o-recto/despues-del-tratamiento/viviendo.html" data-sid="141086">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/after-treatment/second-cancers.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="126690" >Second Cancers After Colorectal Cancer</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Cancer Society)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/tipos/cancer-de-colon-o-recto/despues-del-tratamiento/segundos-canceres.html" data-sid="141087">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/8607.00.pdf" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="55629" >Treating Colorectal Cancer</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Colorectal Cancer Coalition)</span> - <span class="desccode">PDF</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_47"></a> <section id="cat_47_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Related Issues </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section47" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lynch-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20374714?p=1" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="57349" >Lynch Syndrome</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/lynch-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20374714?p=1" data-sid="141088">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/talking-with-doctor.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="36552" >Questions to Ask About Colorectal Cancer</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Cancer Society)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/tipos/cancer-de-colon-o-recto/deteccion-diagnostico-clasificacion-por-etapas/la-comunicacion-con-su-medico.html" data-sid="133067">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_46"></a> <section id="cat_46_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Genetics </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section46" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer-hereditary/about/lynch-syndrome.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="88682" >About Lynch Syndrome</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/constitutional-mismatch-repair-deficiency-syndrome" data-sid="143626" data-org="NLM">Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.genome.gov/Genetic-Disorders/Colon-Cancer" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="34556" data-org="NHGRI">Learning about Colon Cancer</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Human Genome Research Institute)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/lynch-syndrome" data-sid="124811" data-org="NLM">Lynch syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_80"></a> <section id="cat_80_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Images </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section80" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100157_1.htm" data-sid="97780" >Colon cancer - series</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/esp_presentations/100157_1.htm" data-sid="97876">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_48"></a> <section id="cat_48_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Health Check Tools </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section48" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://ccrisktool.cancer.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="75548" data-org="NCI">Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment Tool</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_94"></a> <section id="cat_94_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Videos and Tutorials </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section94" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/colon-cancer-videos.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="93472" >Colorectal Cancer Videos</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="20" height="16" alt="Video" title="Video" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/videocamera.gif" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (American Cancer Society)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/tipos/cancer-de-colon-o-recto/videos-cancer-colorrectal.html" data-sid="158596">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_65"></a> <section id="cat_65_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Test Your Knowledge </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section65" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/colorectal-cancer-quiz.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="88002" >Take the Quiz: Colorectal Cancer</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Cancer Society)</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_79"></a> <section id="cat_79_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Statistics and Research </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section79" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/research" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="135969" data-org="NCI">Advances in Colorectal Cancer Research</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="74458" data-org="NCI">Cancer Stat Facts: Colorectal Cancer</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer/statistics/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="144506" >Colorectal Cancer Statistics</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/about/new-research.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="52935" >What's New in Colorectal Cancer Research?</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Cancer Society)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/tipos/cancer-de-colon-o-recto/acerca/nuevas-investigaciones.html" data-sid="129519">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_27"></a> <section id="cat_27_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Clinical Trials </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section27" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=%22Colonic+Neoplasms%22&aggFilters=status:not%20rec" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="26987" data-org="NIH">ClinicalTrials.gov: Colonic Neoplasms</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institutes of Health)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=%22Colorectal+Neoplasms%22&aggFilters=status:not%20rec" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="26989" data-org="NIH">ClinicalTrials.gov: Colorectal Neoplasms</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institutes of Health)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=%22Rectal+Neoplasms%22&aggFilters=status:not%20rec" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="27189" data-org="NIH">ClinicalTrials.gov: Rectal Neoplasms</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institutes of Health)</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_59"></a> <section id="cat_59_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Journal Articles <span class="subheading">References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)</span> </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section59" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39570590" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="2845" >Article: More vs Less Frequent Follow-Up Testing and 10-Year Mortality in Patients...</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39558249" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="2845" >Article: Survival outcomes of population-wide colonoscopy screening: reanalysis of the NordICC data.</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39503055" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="2845" >Article: The Use of CellCollector Assay to Detect Free Cancer Cells in...</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22Colorectal+Neoplasms%22%5Bmajr%3Anoexp%5D+AND+humans%5Bmh%5D+AND+english%5Bla%5D+AND+%22last+1+Year%22+%5Bedat%5D+AND+%28patient+education+handout%5Bpt%5D+OR+guideline%5Bpt%5D+OR+clinical+trial%5Bpt%5D%29++NOT+%28letter%5Bpt%5D+OR+case+reports%5Bpt%5D+OR+editorial%5Bpt%5D+OR+comment%5Bpt%5D%29+AND+free+full+text%5Bsb%5D+" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="2845" >Colorectal Cancer -- see more articles</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_82"></a> <section id="cat_82_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Reference Desk </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section82" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="2612" data-org="NCI">Dictionary of Cancer Terms</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/publicaciones/diccionarios/diccionario-cancer/" data-sid="99927">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_83"></a> <section id="cat_83_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Find an Expert </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section83" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.org/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="402" >American Cancer Society</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://fascrs.org/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="2691" >American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.asge.org/find-a-doctor-results" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="48722" >ASGE: Find a Doctor</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/finding-care/where-to-find-cancer-care/choosing-a-cancer-doctor.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="160626" >Choosing a Cancer Doctor</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Cancer Society)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/como-sobrellevar-el-cancer/encontrar-tratamiento/como-elegir-un-medico-y-un-hospital/como-seleccionar-a-un-medico.html" data-sid="160627">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="789" data-org="NCI">National Cancer Institute</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol" data-sid="79634">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://supportorgs.cancer.gov/home.aspx" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="102750" data-org="NCI">Organizations that Offer Cancer Support Services</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://supportorgs.cancer.gov/home.aspx?lang=2" data-sid="119854">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_8"></a> <section id="cat_8_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Children </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section8" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/child-colorectal-treatment-pdq" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="143265" data-org="NCI">Childhood Colorectal Cancer Treatment</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Cancer Institute)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/tipos/colorrectal/paciente/tratamiento-colorrectal-infantil-pdq" data-sid="153690">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_69"></a> <section id="cat_69_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Patient Handouts </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section69" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000054.htm" data-sid="84002" >Abdominal radiation - discharge</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000054.htm" data-sid="87261">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000012.htm" data-sid="84096" >After chemotherapy - discharge</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000012.htm" data-sid="86669">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002071.htm" data-sid="82293" >Colon cancer screening</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/002071.htm" data-sid="85313">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000262.htm" data-sid="80864" >Colorectal cancer</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/000262.htm" data-sid="84291">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002941.htm" data-sid="83065" >Large bowel resection</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/002941.htm" data-sid="87497">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div class="side"> <aside> <section id="ht-img-section"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header hide-offscreen"> <h2>Topic Image</h2> </div> <div class="section-body no-header"> <img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/Colorectal_Cancer.jpg" title="Colorectal Cancer" alt="Colorectal Cancer" /> </div> </div> </section> <section id="encyclopedia-box"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header red"> <h2>MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA</h2> </div> <div id="more_encyclopedia" class="section-body"> <ul> <li><a data-sid="83384" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003789.htm">Abdominal CT scan</a></li> <li><a data-sid="80770" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002928.htm">Abdominal exploration</a></li> <li><a data-sid="98016" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100049_1.htm">Abdominal exploration - series</a></li> <li><a data-sid="84002" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000054.htm">Abdominal radiation - discharge</a></li> <li><a data-sid="84096" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000012.htm">After chemotherapy - discharge</a></li> <li><a data-sid="83445" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003817.htm">Barium enema</a></li> <li><a data-sid="83149" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003130.htm">Black or tarry stools</a></li> <li><a data-sid="134310" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007747.htm">Cologuard</a></li> <li><a data-sid="97780" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100157_1.htm">Colon cancer - series</a></li> <li><a data-sid="82293" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002071.htm">Colon cancer screening</a></li> </ul><ul class="more-links"> <li><a data-sid="83857" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003886.htm">Colonoscopy</a></li> <li><a data-sid="80864" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000262.htm">Colorectal cancer</a></li> <li><a data-sid="97837" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100011_1.htm">Colostomy - series</a></li> <li><a data-sid="115762" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000704.htm">Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)</a></li> <li><a data-sid="84054" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007007.htm">Flushable reagent stool blood test</a></li> <li><a data-sid="83065" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002941.htm">Large bowel resection</a></li> <li><a data-sid="84027" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000151.htm">Large bowel resection - discharge</a></li> <li><a data-sid="97779" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100089_1.htm">Large bowel resection - Series</a></li> <li><a data-sid="83795" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007362.htm">Pelvic CT scan</a></li> <li><a data-sid="83911" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000059.htm">Pelvic radiation - discharge</a></li> <li><a data-sid="83788" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007355.htm">Pelvis MRI scan</a></li> <li><a data-sid="81092" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000300.htm">Radiation enteritis</a></li> <li><a data-sid="82832" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003393.htm">Stool guaiac test</a></li> <li><a data-sid="84147" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007379.htm">Total abdominal colectomy</a></li> <li><a data-sid="83990" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000153.htm">Total colectomy or proctocolectomy - discharge</a></li> <li><a data-sid="84149" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007381.htm">Total proctocolectomy with ileostomy</a></li> <li><a data-sid="119228" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000832.htm">Understanding your colorectal cancer risk</a></li> <li><a data-sid="83412" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007253.htm">Virtual colonoscopy</a></li> </ul> <div aria-live="polite" class="live-area hide-offscreen"></div> <button class="more-btn" role="button" aria-controls="more_encyclopedia" type="submit"> <span class="more">Show More</span><span class="more icon icon-more"></span> <span class="less">Show Less</span><span class="less icon icon-more"></span> </button> </div> </div> </section> <section id="related-topics"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>Related Health Topics</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> <ul id="related"> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/colonicdiseases.html">Colonic Diseases</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/colonicpolyps.html">Colonic Polyps</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/colonoscopy.html">Colonoscopy</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/rectaldisorders.html">Rectal Disorders</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <section id="primary-institute-section"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>National Institutes of Health</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> The primary NIH organization for research on <span class="italic">Colorectal Cancer</span> is the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/" target="TheNewWin">National Cancer Institute</a> </div> </div> </section> <section id="foreign-languages"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>Other Languages</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> Find <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/languages/colorectalcancer.html">health information in languages other than English</a> on <em>Colorectal Cancer</em> </div> </div> </section> <section id="magazine-box"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>NIH MedlinePlus Magazine</h2> </div> <div id="more_magazine" class="section-body"> <ul> <li><a data-sid="157288" href="https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/calling-out-colorectal-cancer" target="_blank">Calling out Colorectal Cancer</a></li> <li><a data-sid="157766" href="https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/david-l-nash-advocates-for-early-detection-after-living-with-colon-cancer" target="_blank">David L. Nash Advocates for Early Detection After Living with Colon Cancer</a></li> <li><a data-sid="157292" href="https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/dr-ibram-x-kendi-advocates-vigilance-after-overcoming-colorectal-cancer" target="_blank">Dr. Ibram X. Kendi Advocates Vigilance After Experiencing Colorectal Cancer</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <section> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header hide-offscreen"> <h2>Disclaimers</h2> </div> <div class="section-body no-header"> MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. 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Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.</p> <div id="citation-how-to"> <button><span>Learn how to cite this page</span></button> </div> </div> <footer> <div id="mplus-footer"> <div class="footer1"> <ul class="secondarynav"> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/">About MedlinePlus</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/">What's New</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html">Site Map</a></li> <li><a href="https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from=https%3A//medlineplus.gov/colorectalcancer.html" target="_blank"><span>Customer Support</span></a></li> </ul> <ul class="follow-footer"> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/rss.html" class="follow-item">Subscribe to RSS<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/feed.png" class="social-media-toolkit-icon" alt="RSS" title="RSS"></a> </li> <li> <span class="follow-label">Follow us</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/medlineplus" class="follow-item" target="_blank"> <img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_share_twitter.png" class="follow-icon" alt="X" title="X"> </a> <a href="https://facebook.com/Mplus.gov/" class="follow-item" target="_blank"> <img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_share_fb.png" class="follow-icon" alt="Facebook" title="Facebook"> </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mplusgov/" class="follow-item" target="_blank"> <img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/Instagram_Glyph_Gradient_RGB.png" class="follow-icon" alt="Instagram" title="Instagram"> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/social-media-toolkit/" class="social-media-toolkit-item">Social Media Toolkit<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_social_media_toolkit.png" class="social-media-toolkit-icon" alt="Social Media Toolkit" title="Social Media Toolkit"></a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer2"> <ul> <li><a href=" https://www.nlm.nih.gov/web_policies.html" target='_blank'>NLM Web Policies</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/using/usingcontent/" >Copyright</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/accessibility.html">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/using/criteria/">Guidelines for Links</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/plugins.html">Viewers & Players</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html" target="_blank">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/medlineplus-connect/">MedlinePlus Connect for EHRs</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/developers/">For Developers</a></li> </ul> <div class="address"> <a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov" target="_blank">National Library of Medicine</a> <span>8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894</span> <a href="https://www.hhs.gov" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a> <a href="https://www.nih.gov" target="_blank">National Institutes of Health</a> </div> <div class="date"> <span id="lastupdate">Last updated March 5, 2024</span> </div> <div class="return-top"><a href="#top" title="Return to top"><img class="return-top-icon" alt="Return to top" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/return-top.png"></a></div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> <script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/jquery-3.6.0.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/mplus-frontend-controls-new.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/mplus-share.js?id=1112022" type="text/javascript"></script>  <script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/control.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/js/uswds.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script type='application/ld+json'> [ { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "MedicalWebPage", "name": "Colorectal Cancer", "description": "Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or rectum. It may not cause symptoms at first. Screening tests can help find it early, when treatment is most effective.", "mainContentOfPage": "What is colorectal cancer?\u000AColorectal cancer is cancer that develops in the tissues of the colon or rectum. Your colon and rectum are part of your digestive system:\u000A\u000AYour colon is the first and longest part of your large intestine. It absorbs water and some nutrients from foods. It also changes the leftover waste products into stool (poop). \u000AYour rectum is the lower part of your large intestine. It\u0027s where your body stores stool.\u000A\u000ACancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer, and cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Cancer that affects either of these parts may also be called colorectal cancer.\u000A\u000AWhat causes colorectal cancer?\u000AColorectal cancer happens when there are changes in your genetic material (DNA). These changes are also called mutations or variants. Often, the genetic changes that lead to colorectal cancer happen during your lifetime and the exact cause is unknown. But certain genetic changes that raise your risk for colorectal cancer are inherited, meaning that you are born with them. \u000ABesides genetics, other factors, including your lifestyle and the environment, can affect your risk of colorectal cancer.\u000A\u000AWho is more likely to develop colorectal cancer? \u000AAnyone can get colorectal cancer, but certain factors make you more likely to develop it:\u000A\u000ABeing older\u003B your risk of getting colorectal cancer increases as you age.\u000AHaving a personal or family history of colorectal cancer.\u000AHaving a history of adenomas. Adenomas are colorectal polyps (growths) that look abnormal under a microscope or are 1 centimeter or larger. Adenomas are not cancer, but they can sometimes turn into cancer over time.\u000AHaving a genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (hereditary non\u002Dpolyposis colorectal cancer).\u000AHaving chronic ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease for 8 years or more.\u000AHaving three or more alcoholic drinks per day.\u000ASmoking cigarettes.\u000ABeing Black\u003B Black people have an increased risk of colorectal cancer and death from colorectal cancer compared to other races.\u000AHaving obesity.\u000A\u000A\u000AWhat are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?\u000AColorectal cancer may not always cause symptoms, especially at first. If you do have symptoms, they could include:\u000A\u000AA change in bowel habits that lasts more than a few days, such as:\u000A\u0009\u000A\u0009\u0009Diarrhea\u000A\u0009\u0009Constipation\u000A\u0009\u0009Feeling that the bowel does not empty completely\u000A\u0009\u0009Your stool is narrower or has a different shape than usual\u000A\u0009\u000A\u000ABlood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool\u000AFrequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps\u000AWeight loss for no known reason\u000AFatigue\u000A\u000A\u000AWhat is screening for colorectal cancer and who needs it?\u000ABecause colorectal cancer may not cause symptoms at first, it\u0027s important to have screening tests for colorectal cancer. Screening tests look for signs of a disease before you have any symptoms. They can help find cancer early, when it may be easier to treat. \u000AMost experts recommend that start screenings at 45 and continue until at least age 75. People over 75 and those who are at high risk should talk to their providers about how often you need screening and what type of test they should get. \u000A The types of tests include different stool tests and procedures such as colonoscopies and flexible sigmoidoscopy. Talk with your provider about how often you need screening and what type of test you should get.\u000A\u000AHow is colorectal cancer diagnosed?\u000AIf you have symptoms that could be caused by colorectal cancer or if your screening test results are abnormal, you may need to have more tests to find out if you have cancer. Possible tests include:\u000A\u000AA physical exam.\u000AA digital rectal exam. For this exam, your provider inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum to feel for lumps or anything unusual.\u000AThe tests that are also used for screening (colonoscopy, stool tests, etc.) and biopsy, if you have not already had them.\u000AOther blood and tissue tests.\u000A\u000A\u000AWhat are the treatments for colorectal cancer?\u000AYour treatment options usually depend on your age, your general health, how serious the cancer is, and which type of cancer you have.\u000A\u000AFor colon cancer, your treatment may include one or more of these options:\u000A\u000ASurgery.\u000ARadiofrequency ablation, a procedure that uses radio waves to heat and destroy abnormal cells. The radio waves travel through electrodes (small devices that carry electricity).\u000ACryosurgery, a procedure in which an extremely cold liquid or an instrument called a cryoprobe is used to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. \u000AChemotherapy.\u000ARadiation therapy.\u000ATargeted therapy, which uses drugs or other substances that mainly attack specific cancer cells and cause less harm to normal cells.\u000AImmunotherapy.\u000A\u000A\u000AFor rectal cancer, your treatment may include one or more of these options:\u000A\u000ASurgery.\u000ARadiation therapy.\u000AChemotherapy.\u000AActive surveillance, which means having regular tests to see if your rectal cancer has changed. If the tests show the cancer is starting to grow, then you will have treatment to try to cure the cancer.\u000ATargeted therapy, which uses drugs or other substances that mainly attack specific cancer cells and cause less harm to normal cells.\u000AImmunotherapy.\u000A\u000A\u000ACan colorectal cancer be prevented?\u000AAvoiding the risk factors that you have control over may help prevent some cancers. That includes:\u000A\u000ANot smoking\u000ALimiting alcohol to under three drinks per day\u000AManaging your weight\u000A\u000A\u000AThere are also other steps you can take to try to prevent colorectal cancer. They include:\u000A\u000AGetting regular colorectal cancer screenings\u000AHaving polyps removed before they can become cancerous\u000AGetting regular exercise\u000A", "primaryImageOfPage": { "@type": "ImageObject", "contentUrl": "https://medlineplus.gov/images/Colorectal_Cancer.jpg" }, "url": "https://medlineplus.gov/colorectalcancer.html" } ] </script> </body> </html>

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