A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of HealthColorectal Cancer
Also called: Colon cancer, Rectal cancer
The colon and rectum are part of the large intestine. Colorectal cancer occurs when tumors form in the lining of the large intestine. It is common in both men and women. The risk of developing colorectal cancer rises after age 50. You're also more likely to get it if you have colorectal polyps, a family history of colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, eat a diet high in fat, or smoke.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer include
- Diarrhea or constipation
- A feeling that your bowel does not empty completely
- Blood (either bright red or very dark) in your stool
- Stools that are narrower than usual
- Frequent gas pains or cramps, or feeling full or bloated
- Weight loss with no known reason
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
Because you may not have symptoms at first, it's important to have screening tests. Everyone over 50 should get screened. Tests include colonoscopy and tests for blood in the stool. Treatments for colorectal cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination. Surgery can usually cure it when it is found early.
NIH: National Cancer Institute
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Colorectal Cancer is theNational Cancer Institute
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NIH MedlinePlus Magazine
Start Here
- Colon Cancer
(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- Colorectal Cancer (PDQ): Screening
- What You Need to Know about Cancer of the Colon and Rectum
- Colon Cancer
Overviews
- Colorectal Cancer
(National Cancer Institute)
- Get Tested for Colorectal Cancer
(Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)
- What Is Colorectal Cancer?(American Cancer Society)
- Colorectal Cancer
Latest News
- Colon Cancer and Aspirin
(04/24/2014, HealthDay)
- Aspirin's Ability to Prevent Colon Cancer May Depend on Your Genes(04/23/2014, HealthDay)
- Age a Big Factor in Colon Surgery Complications, Study Finds(04/10/2014, HealthDay)
- Obesity May Shorten Colon Cancer Survival(04/09/2014, HealthDay)
- Obesity Primes the Colon for Cancer, According to NIH Study
- More News on Colorectal Cancer
- Colon Cancer and Aspirin
Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Abdominal exploration - slideshow
- Also available in Spanish
- Colon Adenocarcinoma(College of American Pathologists) - PDF
- Colonoscopy: When You Need It -- and When You Don't(ABIM Foundation)
- Fecal Occult Blood Test and Fecal Immunochemical Test(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- How Is Colorectal Cancer Diagnosed?(American Cancer Society)
- How Is Colorectal Cancer Staged?(American Cancer Society)
- Lower GI Series (Barium Enema)
- Also available in Spanish
- MedlinePlus: Colonoscopy
- Also available in Spanish
Treatment
- Bowel Diversion Surgeries: Ileostomy, Colostomy, Ileoanal Reservoir, and Continent Ileostomy
- Colon Cancer (PDQ): Treatment
- Also available in Spanish
- Colorectal Cancer: Treatment by Stage of Colon Cancer(American Cancer Society)
- Colorectal Cancer: Treatment by Stage of Rectal Cancer(American Cancer Society)
- Colostomy
- Also available in Spanish
- Colostomy - slideshow
- Also available in Spanish
- Drugs Approved for Colon and Rectal Cancer
- Laparoscopic Colon Resection(Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons)
- Also available in Spanish
- Ostomy(American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons)
- Radiation Therapy for Colon, Rectum and Anus Cancers(American Society for Radiation Oncology)
- Rectal Cancer (PDQ): Treatment
- Also available in Spanish
- Return to top
- Bowel Diversion Surgeries: Ileostomy, Colostomy, Ileoanal Reservoir, and Continent Ileostomy
Prevention/Screening
- CDC Vital Signs: Colorectal Cancer Tests Save Lives(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Also available in Spanish
- Colorectal Cancer (PDQ): Prevention
- Colorectal Cancer (PDQ): Screening
- Colorectal Cancer Screening(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF
- Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)(American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- Screening for Colorectal Cancer: A Guidance Statement(American College of Physicians) - PDF
- Stool DNA Test(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Tests to Detect Colorectal Cancer and Polyps
- What Are the Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer?(American Cancer Society)
- Return to top
Alternative Therapy
- Clean Your Colon Health or Hype?(University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center)
- Return to top
Disease Management
- CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) Test(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- If Treatment for Colorectal Cancer Stops Working(American Cancer Society)
- Lifestyle Changes to Consider During and After Treatment(American Cancer Society)
- What Happens after Treatment for Colorectal Cancer?(American Cancer Society)
- Return to top
Related Issues
- Five Myths about Colorectal Cancer(American Cancer Society)
- Frequently Asked Questions about Colorectal Cancer and IBD(Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)
- Lynch Syndrome(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- What Should You Ask Your Doctor about Colorectal Cancer?(American Cancer Society)
- Return to top
Pictures & Photographs
- Colon cancer - slideshow
- Also available in Spanish
- Large bowel resection - slideshow
- Also available in Spanish
- Return to top
Health Check Tools
- Colon Cancer Risk Questionnaire(Siteman Cancer Center)
- Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment Tool
- Return to top
Tutorials
- Colon Cancer(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- Colorectal Cancer
- Colostomy(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- Return to top
Videos
- 5 Screening Tests for Colorectal Cancer(Healthy Roads Media)
- Colorectal Cancer -- Who Is at Risk for Colorectal Cancer?(Healthy Roads Media)
- Get Tested for Colon Cancer: Here's How(American Cancer Society)
- Laparoscopic Right Colectomy(OR-Live) - Shawnee Mission Medical Center, Merriam, KS, 05/04/2012
- Minimally Invasive Colon Surgery(OR-Live) - St. Mary's Medical Center, Duluth, MN, 1/24/2007
- Minimally Invasive Colorectal Resection to Treat Colon Cancer(OR-Live) - St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals, New York, NY, 4/27/2010
- Myths about Colorectal Cancer(American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy)
- Why Get Tested?
- Return to top
Financial Issues
- Colon Cancer Screening (Colorectal) Coverage(Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
- Colorectal (Colon) Cancer: Insurance and Medicare(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Also available in Spanish
- Return to top
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Colonic Neoplasms
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Colorectal Neoplasms
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Rectal Neoplasms
- Return to top
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Colonic Neoplasms
Genetics
- Familial Adenomatous Polyposis(American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- Genetic Testing for Hereditary Colorectal Cancer(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Also available in Spanish
- Genetics Home Reference: Lynch syndrome
- Hereditary Mixed Polyposis Syndrome(American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome(American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- Learning about Colon Cancer
- Muir-Torre Syndrome(American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- MYH-Associated Polyposis(American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- Turcot Syndrome(American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- Return to top
Research
- Colonoscopy Reduces Risk of Death from Colorectal Cancer in High-Risk Patients
- Colorectal Cancer
- Effect of Low-Dose Aspirin on Colorectal Cancer Risk in Women(American College of Physicians) - PDF
- FDA Approves New Treatment for Advanced Colorectal Cancer(Food and Drug Administration)
- Using Primary Care Services Can Help Reduce the Burden of Colorectal Cancer(American College of Physicians) - PDF
- What's New in Colorectal Cancer Research and Treatment?(American Cancer Society)
- Return to top
- Colonoscopy Reduces Risk of Death from Colorectal Cancer in High-Risk Patients
Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)Dictionaries/Glossaries
- Colorectal (Colon) Cancer: Glossary(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Dictionary of Cancer Terms
- Also available in Spanish
- Digestive Diseases Dictionary
- Also available in Spanish
- Return to top
Directories
- ASGE: Find a Doctor(American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy)
- Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP): Contact a Local Program(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Find a Cancer Doctor(American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- Organizations That Offer Support Services
- Return to top
Organizations
Statistics
- Cancer of the Colon and Rectum
- CDC Vital Signs: Colorectal Cancer(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Incidence Rates(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Minorities and Colorectal Cancer(Prevent Cancer Foundation)
- Percentage of Adults Who Receive Colorectal Cancer Screening as Appropriate(Department of Health and Human Services)
- Return to top
- Cancer of the Colon and Rectum
Women
- What Women Need to Know about Colon Cancer Screening(American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy)
- Return to top
Patient Handouts
- Abdominal CT scan
- Also available in Spanish
- Abdominal radiation - discharge
- Also available in Spanish
- After chemotherapy - discharge
- Also available in Spanish
- Barium enema
- Also available in Spanish
- Colon cancer
- Also available in Spanish
- Colon cancer screening
- Also available in Spanish
- Colonoscopy
- Also available in Spanish
- Large bowel resection
- Also available in Spanish
- Large bowel resection - discharge
- Also available in Spanish
- Lower GI Series
- Pelvic (between the hips) radiation - discharge
- Also available in Spanish
- Pelvic CT scan
- Also available in Spanish
- Pelvis MRI scan
- Also available in Spanish
- Radiation enteritis
- Also available in Spanish
- Stool guaiac test
- Also available in Spanish
- Total abdominal colectomy
- Also available in Spanish
- Total colectomy or proctocolectomy - discharge
- Also available in Spanish
- Total proctocolectomy with ileostomy
- Also available in Spanish
- Understanding Chemotherapy
- Also available in Spanish
- Virtual colonoscopy
- Also available in Spanish
- What to Know about External Beam Radiation Therapy
- Return to top
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