Rectal cancer is the most common malignant tumor among cancer diseases, characterized by the emergence of destructive cells on the walls of the rectum. This cancerous tumor affects the mucous membrane and rapidly develops into the organs. This neoplasm is typical for older individuals, but there are also many cases of affliction in younger patients in medical practice.
Causes
To date, specialists have not identified exact data on the causes of this disease. Based on practical observations and laboratory studies, doctors today identify a number of factors that can provoke the emergence of a cancerous tumor in the rectum. Among the main factors, of course, is the diet – fatty, spicy, high-calorie foods create difficulties in processing and passage in the intestines, which can lead to the intake of various carcinogenic substances into the body. Significant factors include harmful habits, various infectious diseases, the presence of polyps in the rectum, human papillomavirus infection, and anal sex.
Diagnosis of Rectal Cancer in Israel
As a rule, a patient learns about the presence of rectal cancer when the tumor has already formed sufficiently and has begun to cause significant, acute problems.
A person should pay attention and consult a doctor when experiencing such signs as:
- pain, discomfort, sharp pain in the rectum;
- pain during defecation, false urges to empty;
- mucous, purulent discharge from the anus, bleeding;
- disrupted stool, diarrhea, and constipation
As we can see, these symptoms are associated with many gastrointestinal diseases, so it is very important to conduct accurate diagnostics for the patient and identify the real problem. At Ichilov, the diagnostic departments are equipped with the latest high-tech equipment, providing very detailed and informative data about a particular tumor.
The diagnostic course at the clinic includes the following types of diagnostics:
- Blood test;
- Stool, urine analysis;
- Flexible recto-sigmoidoscopy (using a flexible sigmoidoscope, the specialist examines the lower parts of the intestine and rectum)
- Colonoscopy (examination of the intestine using a thin tube with a special camera and lighting. This method allows monitoring and also taking tissue samples for more thorough analysis);
- CT, PET-CT;
- MRI;
- TRUS (a three-dimensional image is displayed on the screen, studying the localization of the tumor, the degree of wall destruction)
Treatment of Rectal Cancer in Israel
To eliminate rectal cancer, Ichilov uses various types of treatments – chemotherapy (a course of treatment with chemical agents), radiation therapy, and surgical intervention. A revolutionary method for treating rectal cancer in Israel, and at Ichilov in particular, is immunotherapy (the patient takes medications that affect the immune system and cause the body to fight the tumor with its own forces).
At the Sourasky Medical Center, patients are provided with the following types of surgical procedures:
- Laparoscopy (this method allows the direct removal of the tumor through a small incision, a minimally invasive method performed with micro-instruments);
- Transanal microsurgery (removal of the tumor without damaging the digestive organs);
- Anterior resection of the rectum with restoration of its integrity and anastomosis (a more gentle method, used in the early stages, does not burden the postoperative viability of the patient);
- Abdominal-perineal extirpation of the rectum;
- Hartmann's resection of the rectum (involves the installation of a colostomy to improve intestinal passage).