Rectal Cancer

The intestinal tract is a part of the intestinal tract that joins the stomach and small intestine to the anus. The terminal portion of this intestinal tract is known as the anus, spanning approximately 12cm in length. About 20% of all cancers that occur in the intestinal tract occur in this anus.

Bleeding is the most common symptom associated with rectal melanoma, occurring in up to 60% of sufferers. Other frequent symptoms include change in bowel habit, and abdominal pain.

The analysis of rectal melanoma usually includes colonoscopy, an evaluation of the intestinal tract using an instrument known as colonoscope that enables an assessment of the entire inner coating of the intestinal tract such as the anus. Once the analysis of melanoma is made, the level of the disease is often determined using a radiologic evaluation known as CT scan. It allows an preliminary assessment of the level of propagate of melanoma. Moreover, an endoscopic ultrasound may be helpful in evaluating the local propagate of melanoma. At the same time, routine blood vessels assessments such as complete blood vessels count (CBC), liver organ operate assessments, and a growth marker known as CEA are usually obtained during the preliminary assessment.

There are 4 stages of rectal melanoma. Rectal melanoma is defined as Level 1, if the melanoma cells is limited to the coating of the anus. In Level 2 melanoma, the melanoma cells has penetrated the layers of rectal wall, and may have penetrated close by body parts such as bladder or womb. In Level 3 rectal melanoma, the melanoma cells has propagate to close by lymph nodes, tiny bean shaped glands of the lymphatic system. In Level 4 melanoma, the melanoma has propagate to other body parts such as liver organ or lung.

The holding of rectal melanoma is important since the diagnosis of individual is highly reliant on the holding of melanoma. For example, sufferers clinically identified as having Level 1 rectal melanoma have overall 5-year amount of success of 74%. On the other hand, those clinically identified as having stage 4 melanoma can only expect 6% amount of success at 5 season.

The therapy of rectal melanoma often includes combination of surgery therapy, radiotherapy, and radiation treatment. Because of the complex anatomy of rectal sphincter, there are various surgical techniques that may be utilized to preserve the rectal sphincteric operate. Moreover, radiotherapy and radiation treatment are often administered to shrink the growth, prior to performing the surgery therapy.

For melanoma that is nearby and has not propagate, the removal surgery therapy is the therapy of choice. More advanced melanoma usually requires chemo-radiation therapy, followed by surgery therapy. The type of surgery therapy performed will be reliant on the exact place, size, and level of melanoma with the intent of preserving rectal sphincteric, if at all possible. Recently, some have also helped from additional therapy with a new class of melanoma therapy such as Vectibix, Avastin, and Erbitux.