Intestinal Cancer

Anal cancer starts in the anus, which is where the large intestine empties waste from the body. Cancer of the anus usually affects people age 60 and older.

Anal cancer treatment can be very effective when the cancer is found early. Symptoms may include rectal bleeding and itching, a lump at the anal opening or changes in bowel movements. Preventive screening exams for anal cancer, such as colonoscopy and digital rectal exam, can find potentially cancerous polyps when they are still small and can be easily removed. More advanced cases may require chemoradiation, which combines radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Learn more about anal cancer.

Colon cancer begins in the lining of the colon, also known as the large intestine. Colon cancer may be referred to as colorectal cancer, but colon cancer develops in the upper part of the large intestine, while rectal cancer develops in the lower part.

Colon cancer is common among both men and women, but when found early, it’s highly treatable. Colon cancer screening exams, such as a colonoscopy, can detect abnormal growths called polyps in the earliest stages of cancer, before any symptoms appear. Small tumors are easily treated with surgery. More advanced cases may require a combination of surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Learn more about colon cancer.

Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors are uncommon cancers that start in the cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They develop in neuroendocrine cells, which help with digestion. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, treatment may involve surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Learn more about gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) develop in the GI tract. They are most likely to begin in the stomach or small intestine, but may develop in the colon as well. Surgery is the most common treatment for these tumors. Learn more about gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Sometimes called colorectal cancer, rectal cancer begins in the cells that line the rectum, or lower part of the large intestine. Like colon cancer, rectal cancer often begins with an abnormal growth called a polyp, which may turn into cancer.

Rectal cancer may not have symptoms until the disease has advanced. Preventive screening exams, such as a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy, can often detect rectal cancer in its earliest stages, when treatment is most successful.

Early-stage rectal cancers are usually treated with surgery to remove the tumor. More advanced rectal cancer may require surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these. Learn more about rectal cancer.