Colon and Rectal Cancer Specialist in Cypress and The Woodlands, TX

Colorectal cancer, which is often referred to as colon cancer, is a serious medical disease caused when the cells in the colon or rectum continuously multiply instead of dying as they should. Cell mutation causes these cells to become cancerous, meaning that they can affect, spread to, and destroy surrounding tissue.
 
Screening in the form of stool tests and colonoscopies can help to identify cancerous cells early, allowing for treatment to take place during an early stage which is when it works best.

While both the colon and rectum are part of the large intestine, they’re not the same. The colon refers to a portion of the large intestine while the rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus. However, they are often grouped together as these organs are composed of the same tissue and there isn’t a clear border as to where one starts and the other begins.
 
Colon cancer can start anywhere in the colon, whereas rectal cancer starts in the rectum. It can be called colorectal cancer if it’s unclear where cancer started or if the cancerous cells have spread to both areas.

There are five stages when it comes to defining the seriousness of colon and/or rectal cancer. They are:
 
Stage 0. Also known as carcinoma in situ, this stage is characterized by the presence of abnormal or precancerous cells in the innermost layer of your colon wall.
Stage I. In this stage, colorectal cancer has grown into the wall of the intestine. However, it hasn’t spread beyond the colon muscles or into nearby lymph nodes.
Stage II. In this stage, the cancerous cells have spread into the wall of the intestine but not the lymph nodes.
Stage III. At this stage, colon cancer has spread beyond the wall of the intestine and into the lymph nodes.
Stage IV. This is the last and most serious stage, characterized by cancer spreading and affecting other areas of the body. This may include the liver, ovaries, lungs, or any other nearby structures.
 
Colorectal cancer is highly treatable when caught in the early stages, which is one of many reasons why regular screening is so important. Screening can sometimes be performed by your family practitioner; however, in many cases they will refer you to a specialist for a higher level of care.

Colon and rectal cancer can develop without you experiencing symptoms. When symptoms are present, they can easily be mistaken for those associated with less serious conditions which are why regular screening is important. Common symptoms of colorectal cancer are:
 
• Abdominal pain that occurs without cause.
• Bloated stomach.
• Bloody stool.
• Developing anemia.
• Fatigue.
• Feel as if you still need to pass a stool after going to the bathroom.
• Feeling short of breath.
• Persistent constipation and/or diarrhea.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Vomiting without reason/cause.
 
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, or require screening to identify or rule out an issue, contact our team of dedicated medical professionals at Texas Colon and Pilonidal Clinic. We offer safe and reliable care that is conducive to your unique medical requirements. Contact us at your earliest convenience for more information regarding our services or you can book online if you’re ready to schedule an appointment. We serve patients from The Woodlands TX, Cypress TX, Shenandoah TX, Rose Hill TX, Conroe TX, Louetta TX, Tomball TX, Magnolia TX, Montgomery TX, Cleveland TX, Houston TX, Kingwood TX, Humble TX, Willis TX, and beyond.