Types of Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancers include cancers of the colon and rectum. Colon cancer is in the colon, which makes up most of your large intestine, where water and the remainder of nutrients are absorbed, and stool is formed. Rectal cancer is in the rectum, the final few inches of your large intestine where waste is stored until excreted during a bowel movement.
Adenocarcinomas account for 98% of colorectal tumors. An adenocarcinoma typically begins as a polyp called an adenoma that develops in the mucosal lining of the colon or rectum. Polyps are removed if discovered during a colonoscopy .
The remaining 2% of cancers that develop in the colon or rectum are made up of the following:
- Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor – This tumor develops in special cells called neuroendocrine cells lining the gastrointestinal tract of the colon and rectum.
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) – This tumor starts in the stomach, developing in the cells of the nervous system that signal the gastrointestinal tract wall to contract.
- Primary colorectal lymphoma – This tumor develops in the immune cells of the colon and rectum.
- Squamous cell carcinoma – This tumor typically affects the anus and sometimes the rectum.
Why Choose Houston Methodist for Colorectal Cancer Care
Personalized Diagnostics & Treatment Plans
Treating your individual cancer — so you can get back to your life.
Oncologists, gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons and other specialists work together to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. We use advanced diagnostics and treatment options — including minimally invasive robotic surgical techniques, blood conservation techniques and targeted therapies — to treat your cancer as quickly and safely as possible.
Cutting-Edge Research & Innovative Technology
Groundbreaking research and clinical trials lead to new treatment options for your cancer.
Our pioneering research and our many clinical trials result in new therapies developed to treat and cure cancer. Houston Methodist patients may access clinical trials offering potentially promising treatments not yet available.
Ranked No. 7 in the Nation for Gastroenterology and GI Surgery by U.S. News & World Report
Houston Methodist Hospital is ranked No. 7 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for gastroenterology and GI surgery. U.S. News & World Report also nationally ranks Houston Methodist for cancer and considers it high performing for colon cancer surgery.
Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis
Regular screening of the colon and rectum by colonoscopy can help find colorectal cancer early before symptoms develop, when it is most likely to be curable. Screening can also help prevent colon and rectal cancer by finding and removing polyps that could have turned into cancer.
If you experience symptoms of colorectal cancer, your doctor may perform one or more diagnostic tests to confirm a diagnosis and determine the specific type and stage of the cancer. Common diagnostic tests include blood tests, endoscopic procedures, biopsies and imaging tests.
Comprehensive Colorectal Cancer Treatments
The board-certified colorectal surgeons at Houston Methodist are specially trained with expertise in managing the full spectrum of colon and rectal diseases. If you receive a colorectal cancer diagnosis, your oncology care team will tailor your specific treatment plan to the unique characteristics of your type and stage of colorectal cancer. We also consider your individual needs and lifestyle.
Our goal is to provide effective treatments while preserving healthy tissue and cells. Your care team may use one or more methods to treat and manage your cancer.
Surgery
If surgery is needed, our experts use minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques whenever possible. These advanced procedures can result in less pain and fewer complications, so you recover more quickly.
A polypectomy is the removal of a polyp (or growth) from an organ. It is used most often for early-stage colorectal cancers.
An Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses suction and saline water injected via a needle to remove a small tumor or an area of abnormal tissues.
Some colorectal cancers require removal of part of the colon, which is called a colectomy. During this procedure, the cancerous area of the colon is removed, as well as some healthy tissue.
When complete removal of the colon and rectum is necessary, our surgeons may perform J-pouch surgery. The J-pouch is a small pouch formed from the end of the small intestine into a “J” shape where stool can wait until it is time for a bowel movement.
Reconstructive Procedures & Stents
In more advanced cases, our experts perform reconstructive procedures to spare tissue and preserve function and quality of life by avoiding colostomies whenever possible.
Endoluminal stent placement may be used for patients with blockages in the colon or rectum when surgical treatment is not initially possible or recommended for safety reasons. With an endoluminal stent placement, expanding metal stents are inserted using an endoscope (narrow tube) placed through the anus to relieve a bowel obstruction.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells by killing them or halting cell division and growth. This treatment is typically administered orally (by mouth) or intravenously (with an IV).
For colorectal cancer treatment, chemotherapy may be used to destroy any cancer cells that remain after surgery. In some cases, chemotherapy may be given before surgery to help shrink tumors to make them easier to remove . Chemotherapy is also used when the cancer is more advanced and surgery is not feasible.
Radiation & Targeted Therapies
Radiation therapy is commonly used before surgery for rectal cancer. Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing in a targeted, specific area. Radiation works by targeting abnormal cells, damaging their DNA so they are unable to reproduce.
Targeted therapy uses drugs that specifically recognize and target cancer cells to stop their growth without harming normal cells. Targeted therapeutic drugs often pinpoint specific mutations or proteins that are involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells.
Houston Methodist Colorectal Cancer Specialists
At Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, our experienced team of colorectal cancer specialists — including medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, oncology-certified nurses, nurse navigators and support staff — is dedicated to stopping your cancer. We provide advanced cancer care at eight locations across the Greater Houston area, allowing you or your loved one to receive treatment close to home or work.