Colorectal Cancer

Comprehensive Colorectal Cancer Care

Catholic Health Cancer Institutes across Long Island offer clinical excellence in colorectal cancer care–from early detection screenings to diagnosis and the latest advances in treatments for colorectal cancer, including surgical procedures.

Find a Catholic Health Cancer Institute near you

Risk Factors & Signs/Symptoms

Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer

If you are at increased risk for colorectal cancer, an early detection screening can help identify any problems in the most treatable stages. Talk to your physician to determine the age you should begin screening and how often testing should be repeated.

Your risk for colorectal cancer goes up if you have:

Inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
Family history of a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome
Personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps

Signs and Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea, constipation or a difference in the consistency of your stool
A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely
Excessive weakness or fatigue
Persistent abdominal discomfort such as gas, cramps or pain
Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
Unexplained weight loss

Diagnostic Options for Colorectal Cancer

Physical Exam and Blood Tests

Your physician will perform a physical exam to check for lumps, pain and tenderness in your abdomen. They will use a lubricated, gloved finger to perform a digital rectal exam to detect any lumps or unusual growths. Blood tests check for anemia, assess your liver function and provide other valuable clues to your condition.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows your physician to view inside your colon and rectum to look for polyps, abnormal growths or cancer. The process uses a long, thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope attached to a video camera and monitor. It may also include a tool for removing tissue samples or polyps to test them for cancer signs. These instruments are inserted through your rectum and into your colon.

Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan and X-rays

CT scans and X-rays show detailed images of different structures and areas inside your body. They are often used to determine if cancer cells have spread.

CT Colonography

CT colonography is also called a virtual colonoscopy. The procedure uses a series of low-dose CT scans to take pictures of the inside of your colon. A computer pieces the pictures together into dimensional images to create a detailed view that reveals any polyps or other abnormalities.

Double-Contrast Barium Enema

A double-contrast barium enema is also called a lower GI series. The procedure uses a liquid inserted into your rectum that contains a metallic compound called barium to improve visibility and highlight problem areas in your lower gastrointestinal tract.

Fecal Occult Blood Test

A fecal occult blood test checks your stool for hidden blood that’s only visible with a microscope. Although colorectal cancer does not always cause bleeding, blood in the stool can indicate colorectal cancer.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

A flexible sigmoidoscopy uses a thin tube fitted with a light and a camera to look inside your rectum and sigmoid or lower colon. The instrument may also have a tool to remove tissue samples or polyps if found during the procedure.

Colorectal Procedures and Surgery

We use the latest technology and minimally invasive techniques, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery, to provide the most advanced treatments to help reduce recovery time and improve outcomes. If surgery is necessary, our team of experts will provide the highest standard of specialized care to treat your individual condition.

Colorectal Procedures

These minimally invasive colorectal procedures may take place in an office or outpatient setting and include:

Hemorrhoid Treatment Procedures: The removal of hemorrhoids by rubber band ligation or surgical removal, depending on the symptoms and hemorrhoid grading.
Polypectomy: The removal of colon and rectal polyps via colonoscopy.
Treatment for an anal fistula, fissure, and perirectal abscess (boil)

Surgical Procedures

The board-certified colorectal surgeons at Catholic Health perform a wide array of surgical procedures including:

Partial Colectomy: Removal of a diseased section of the colon; the remaining healthy parts of the colon are then reconnected.
Total Colectomy: Removal of the entire colon. Typically used for widespread disease affecting the entire colon.
Proctocolectomy: The removal of both the colon and rectum. This procedure may be necessary for patients with extensive disease affecting both areas.
Creation of ileal J-pouch: A neo-rectum made of small intestine to avoid a permanent stoma.
Colostomy/Ileostomy: This surgery creates an opening in the abdomen to allow waste to pass through the intestine into a bag outside the body. It may be temporary or permanent.
Strictureplasty: This surgery is performed to widen the narrowing in the intestine that is typically caused by inflammation from Crohn’s disease.
Rectopexy: A surgical procedure used to correct rectal prolapse.

We also treat parastomal hernia, stoma prolapse, and other stoma-related issues.

Surgery for Colon and/or Rectal Cancer

These surgical procedures focus on removing the tumor while sparing healthy tissue based on the primary location of the tumor. Surgical techniques may include:

Abdominoperineal resection (APR) Surgery to remove the anus, rectum, and part of the colon through abdominal and perineal incisions.
Low anterior resection (LAR): Surgery to remove the cancerous section of the rectum, while preserving the anal sphincter muscles.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Less invasive than traditional surgical techniques, the laparoscopic and robotic approach offers a quicker, easier recovery for patients because there is less blood loss, less scarring, less pain, and a lower risk of infection. However, your surgeon will decide the safest surgical approach for your condition.

Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery: A minimally invasive surgical technique that uses a laparoscope to operate through several small incisions in the abdomen.
Robotic-Assisted Colorectal Surgery: A form of minimally invasive surgery that uses a robotic arm that the surgeon controls from a console, offering our surgeons a 3D, high-definition view and a 360-degree range of motion when operating.

Traditional Open Surgery

Our surgeons prioritize minimally invasive methods whenever possible, however, traditional open surgery remains a vital and safe option. Depending on the individual patient, their condition, and health history, this may be the preferred choice for patients with extensive scar tissue from previous surgeries, very large tumors, or other complex anatomical factors.

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Our Team and Approach

If colon cancer is detected, Catholic Health colon cancer specialists tailor a treatment plan based on diagnosis and your preferences. We can treat for early-stage colon cancer, invasive colon cancer or advanced colon cancer.

Our multidisciplinary approach gives you access to a team of compassionate cancer specialists, including board-certified oncologists, colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists as well as registered nurse navigators and infusion/chemotherapy nurses.

At Catholic Health, we care for you body, mind and soul. Our social workers and spiritual care staff can provide comfort and support to you and your loved ones.