Colorectal Cancer

Any change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, or abdominal pain are some of the symptoms you may experience with colorectal cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment give you the best chance of a full recovery. Board-certified gastroenterologist Peter S. Yotseff, MD, provides comprehensive colorectal cancer care at Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Centers in Pembroke Pines, Florida. To schedule a colorectal cancer consultation or colon cancer screening at the luxurious office, call or book an appointment online today.

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. The colon and rectum make up your large intestine, the last section of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

The colon absorbs fluid and electrolytes from the remaining food waste following digestion. The rectum stores the food waste until it’s eliminated during a bowel movement. 

Colorectal cancer usually starts as a benign polyp, a growth that forms on the lining of the large intestine. Polyps are common but don’t always turn into cancer. Colon cancer screenings look for and remove polyps to reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer.

People with a family history of colorectal cancer or a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at greater risk of developing colorectal cancer. 

What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?

You can have colorectal cancer and not have any symptoms, especially during the early stages. That’s why colon cancer screening is so important. Common symptoms of colorectal cancer include:

• Change in bowel habits
• GI bleeding
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Unexplained weight loss
• Anemia
• Vomiting

If you have any of these symptoms, schedule a consultation at the Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Centers. The skilled gastroenterologists use advanced diagnostic tools to determine the cause of your symptoms, so you get the right diagnosis and treatment. 

What tests diagnose colorectal cancer?

If your gastroenterologist at Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Centers has concerns you may have colorectal cancer, they perform a colonoscopy. During this diagnostic procedure, they evaluate the lining of your large intestine using a colonoscope. 

The colonoscope has a light and camera along with tools that allow your gastroenterologist to see the lining of your GI tract on a computer monitor and remove polyps and take samples of abnormal tissue. 

They send the tissue samples to a pathology lab to confirm or rule out your diagnosis. 

What are the treatments for colorectal cancer?

Treatment for colorectal cancer depends on the stage of your cancer. Your gastroenterologist at Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Centers discusses your treatment options during a consultation. 

Surgery is the primary treatment for all stages of colorectal cancer and may include the removal of polyps or sections of the large intestine. For advanced colorectal cancer, you may need chemotherapy or radiation therapy before or after surgery.

For expert colorectal cancer care, call the Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Centers or schedule an appointment online today.