Chandan Hospital

Rectal cancer is the cancer that begins in the rectum. The cancer starts at the end of the final segment of the colon and ends where it reaches the narrow passage reaching the anus. The cancer begins when the healthy cells in the rectum develop changes in their DNA. These changes allow the cells to grow uncontrollably and to continue living after healthy cells die. This turns into a tumor and can destroy the nearby healthy cells. The first signs of rectal cancer can be recognized with the following symptoms: -           A change in the bowel habits like diarrhea, constipation or frequent bowels -           Blood in stool -           Feeling of bowel not emptying completely -           Abdominal pain -           Unexplained weight loss -           Weakness & fatigue It can be categorized into 5 different stages: -           Stage 0 where the cells are found in the rectal lining. -           Stage 1 where the tumor has grown below the lining, in the rectal wal