A member asked:
How treatable/curable is rectal cancer?
4 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Anthony Backanswered
Medical Oncology 39 years experience
Very treatable!: Many rectal cancers are curable, from stage 1-3 (with lower stage having better statistics), and even stage 4 is treatable, meaning that treatment prolongs life! so getting a great treatment is important and worthwhile.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Addagada Raoanswered
General Surgery 58 years experience
Treatable: All rectal cancers are treatable , only early cancers are curable , a compelling reason to go for regular check ups, screening colonoscopy over the age of 50.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Andrew Turrisianswered
Radiation Oncology 49 years experience
The goals of: Rectal cancer treatement are curing the disease and maintaining anal sphincters. Very low recal lesions may make the former a credible possibilty, but not the latter. Preoperative therapy improves this possibility. While some tumors are biologically bad, early detection and intervention saves lives and maintains function.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Scott Browninganswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 32 years experience
Very: It depends upon the stage at refine of diagnosis, but most rectal cancers can be successfully treated. Some can be treated with surgery alone, but some require radiation and chemotherapy as well. The anys can be preserved (colostomy avoided) in most cases.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A member asked:
Is rectal cancer curable?
2 doctor answers • 24 doctors weighed in
Dr. Eric Kaplananswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 44 years experience
Yes: If caught early, can be successfully treated with local excision or neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation followed by surgery. The key is early diagnosis! all bleeding should be thoroughly evaluated and appropriate screening with colonoscopies can prevent more advance and incurable colorectal cancers!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 28, 2020
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
$44 video appointments with $19/month membership*
*Billed $57 every 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
