Rectal Cancer Treatment
If rectal cancer is detected during a screening colonoscopy, additional
tests may be completed to determine if the cancer has spread outside the
rectum. Utilizing CT, PET, or MRI imaging, your physician can determine
the best treatment path for your rectal cancer.
Rectal cancer is traditionally treated using a mix of therapies –
surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Due to the location of the
rectum, treatment often begins with less invasive options such as radiation
therapy and chemotherapy to shrink the size of the tumor and allow for
preservation of the anal sphincter. This treatment before surgery is referred
to ad neoadjuvant therapy. A skilled Hoag surgeon will then surgically
remove the remaining concerning areas of the rectal cancer.
Hoag’s skilled surgical team offers minimally invasive treatment
options for rectal cancer, including:
- Laparoscopic surgery
- Robotic-assisted surgery