Rectal carcinoma
Rectal carcinoma affects both sexes equally. It is most common in the 50-70 year old age group; however, any age from about the twenties upwards may be affected.
Rectal carcinoma accounts for about a third of tumours of the large intestine.
Possible predisposing factors include ulcerative colitis, familial polyposis and pre-existing adenoma.
The vast majority of carcinomas are adenocarcinomas.
Macroscopically, rectal carcinomas are usually ulcerating. Stenosing rectal carcinomas may occur at the recto-sigmoid junction. Rectal carcinomas may also be colloidal or papilliferous.
References
- Duan B et al. Colorectal Cancer: An Overview. Gastrointestinal Cancers [Internet]. Brisbane (AU): Exon Publications; 2022 Sep 30. Chapter 1.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Colorectal cancer. Dec 2021 [internet publication].
Related pages
- Clinical features
- Tumour suppressor genes and colorectal carcinoma
- Investigations
- Investigations in colorectal cancer
- Diagnosis of colorectal cancer
- Differential diagnosis
- Spread
- Treatment of rectal carcinoma
- Prognosis
- Lower GI cancer (NICE guidance - urgent referral for suspected cancer)
- Colorectal carcinoma
- Staging of colorectal cancer using TNM classification
- Follow up after curative resection for colorectal cancer
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