Cancer of the colon or rectum is also called colorectal cancer. In the United States, it is the fourth most common cancer in men and women. Caught early, it is often curable.

It is more common in people over 50, and the risk increases with age. You are also more likely to get it if you have

Polyps - growths inside the colon and rectum that may become cancerous
A diet that is high in fat
A family history or personal history of colorectal cancer
Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease

Symptoms can include blood in the stool, narrower stools, a change in bowel habits and general stomach discomfort. However, you may not have symptoms at first, so screening is important. Everyone who is 50 or older should be screened for colorectal cancer. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination.

Rectal cancer is always classified according to stages, which is the process used to determine the degree of spread of the cancer cells from the main site to other organs and tissues. Staging is very important since it will give the doctors an idea how serious the disease is as well as guide them in the formulation of a treatment plan.

Staging of Rectal Cancer

Stage 0

Otherwise known as carcinoma in situ, this is the earliest stage where the abnormal cells are found in the innermost lining of the intestine. These cells have the potential to become cancerous and spread to other tissues

Stage 1

In this stage the cancerous cells have spread past the innermost lining of the rectum to reach the second and third layers but has not spread to the outer rectal wall or past the rectum itself. This stage is also referred to as Duke's A rectal cancer, after another staging system.

Stage 2

In stage 2 rectal cancer the abnormal cells may have spread to the outside of the rectal wall but has not spread to the lymph nodes. This is also called Duke's B rectal cancer.

Stage 3

In this stage the cancer has penetrated the nearby lymph nodes but has not affected the nearby tissues or other parts of the body. This is synonymous to Duke's C rectal cancer.

Stage 4

In this stage, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body like the liver, the lungs and ovaries. It is also called Duke's D rectal cancer or metastatic rectal cancer.

Surgery is often the only requirement in stage 1 rectal cancer. If the cancer has spread chemotherapy and radiation may be offered after surgery to reduce the risk of a relapse. If initial diagnostic tests show stage 2 or 3 cancer, chemotherapy and radiation may also be considered before surgery.