Why Choose Us for Colon Cancer Treatment
Huntsman Cancer Institute is at the forefront of colon and rectal cancer treatment, with a multidisciplinary team specializing in modern treatments like neoadjuvant immunotherapy and minimally invasive surgery. We also have a high-risk genetics clinic centered around working with patients and their families on genetic counseling and rare familial disorders that often overlap with colon and rectal cancer.
As a leader in colon and rectal cancer clinical trials, our focus is on breakthroughs in treatments, and our innovative Huntsman at Homeâ„¢ program makes it possible for many patients to recover from surgery without staying overnight in a hospital setting.
Specialized Treatments
Colon cancer and rectal cancer begin in the large intestine, which is the final part of the digestive tract. It typically starts as small, benign clumps of cells called polyps, which over time can develop into cancer.
Early detection through screening is important because colon cancer and rectal cancer are highly treatable in early stages. Lifestyle factors like maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol use may help reduce the risk. Along with stool and blood tests, colonoscopies are a common screening method to detect polyps or cancer early.
Treatment options we provide for colon cancer and rectal cancer care include the following:
- Watch and wait (non-operative or organ preservation therapy)
- Neoadjuvant immunotherapy
- Minimally invasive surgery (including laparoscopic and robotic)
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Liver-directed therapy
Learn more about types of cancer treatments and cancer screenings such as colonoscopy.
Our Expertise
Our comprehensive approach to colon cancer and rectal cancer encompasses patient care, cutting-edge research, and community education. We are a leader in colon cancer research trials, such as the ColoCare study, with the goal of tailoring therapies to each patient’s unique biology in order to identify strategies that improve health post-diagnosis.
Patient Care Philosophy
We believe no one should face cancer alone. Our dedicated and world-renowned doctors, nurses, and medical staff are at the forefront of patient-centered care. We treat the whole person, not just their cancer.
Each day, our medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists work together across disciplines to create and coordinate treatment plans for every patient. We understand cancer is a complex disease. That is why we use a team approach that includes social workers and support groups, as well as wellness and integrative health services such as acupuncture, massage, creative arts, and more.
Find a Colon Cancer Doctor
Colon Cancer and Rectal Cancer Research
At Huntsman Cancer Institute, research is critical to our mission of better understanding, treating, and preventing cancer. We have that focus on laboratory, clinical, and population-based studies. We also have that serve as collaborative hubs where doctors and scientists share findings and work together to accelerate progress.
Our scientists study the biology of cancer, explore the promise of immunotherapy, and find new ways to treat people using personalized medicine. We have made significant discoveries about genes linked to cancer risk, and our experts train the next generation of cancer researchers to make a difference in cancer care.
In addition, clinical trials test new drugs, drug combinations, procedures, and processes. These are key to improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, and care. Patients on clinical trials may receive access to cutting-edge therapies not yet widely available, with studies being closely monitored so patient well-being is always the top priority. Our goal is to find new cancer treatments and improve the quality of life for people with cancer.
Clinical Trials
Make an Appointment with a Colon Cancer or Rectal Cancer Specialist
To make an appointment with a colon cancer or rectal cancer specialist, fill out our appointment form or call 801-587-7000. Our team will determine if your insurance covers treatment at Huntsman Cancer Institute or if you need a referral from a primary care doctor.
External providers can refer a patient using the online referral form or by calling 801-587-7000 to speak to a patient registration specialist.
Colon Cancer and Rectal Cancer Basics
These are possible signs and symptoms of colon cancer or rectal cancer:
- Change in bowel habits
- Blood in the stool
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way
- Stools that are narrower than usual
- Frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps
- Weight loss for no known reason
- Feeling very tired
- Vomiting
Many other health problems can also cause these signs. If you have any of these signs, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Learn more about from the National Cancer Institute.
The chance of getting colon cancer and rectal cancer increases with age. These are other risk factors:
- A personal history of colon, rectal, or ovarian cancer or high-risk colorectal polyps
- A family history of colon cancer or rectal cancer in a parent, ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ, or sibling
- Changes in certain genes that increase the risk of cancer, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome)
- A personal history of Crohn’s disease or chronic ulcerative colitis
- Having three or more alcoholic drinks per day
- Smoking
- Obesity
Learn more about ways to prevent cancer and about family history and genetic counseling.
These tests screen for and diagnose colon cancer and rectal cancer:
- Colonoscopy: Using a lighted scope, the health care provider looks at the full length of the colon for anything unusual. If polyps are found, the provider will remove them to test for cancer or to prevent them from turning into cancer in the future. Screening colonoscopies are recommended for everyone starting at age 45.
- Sigmoidoscopy: Using a lighted scope, the health care provider looks at the lower part of the colon for anything unusual. If polyps are found, the provider will remove them to test for cancer or to prevent them from turning into cancer in the future.
- Stool-based tests: These tests look for blood or tumor fragments in the stool. The stool sample is usually collected at home and delivered to the laboratory for testing. Blood in the stool may be a sign of cancer in the colon.
- Blood-based tests: These tests look for tumor fragments in blood samples.
- Virtual colonoscopy: The colon is examined through a computed tomography scan that creates images of the colon.
- Biopsy: The health care provider removes cell or tissue samples so they can be viewed under a microscope to check for signs of cancer. Biopsies are often done as part of a colonoscopy.
These are the stages used for colon cancer and rectal cancer:
- Stage 1 and 2: The cancer has formed and grown into the wall of the colon or rectum with no evidence of spread.
- Stage 3: The cancer has grown into the wall of the colon or rectum and has spread to the lymph nodes nearby.
- Stage 4: The cancer has spread to organs away from the colon such as the liver or lungs.
When cancer spreads from where it started to another part of the body, it is called metastasis. These metastatic cancer cells are the same type of cancer as the primary tumor. For example, if colon cancer or rectal cancer spreads to the bone, the cancer cells in the bone are actually colon cancer or rectal cancer cells. The disease is metastatic colon cancer or rectal cancer, not bone cancer.
Learn more about the from the National Cancer Institute.
