Rectal Cancer Prognosis
The term "prognosis" describes what a person can expect in terms of survival following a diagnosis of rectal cancer. According to Emedicine, prognosis is very individualized with this type of tumor.
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Types
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Rectal cancer is described in four stages, depending on how deeply the cancer cells have invaded the rectal wall and how far they've traveled. Stage 1 is localized cancer, while Stage 4 refers to rectal cancer that affects other parts of the body.
Treatment
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Stage 1 cancers may be completely removed by surgery. If the cancerous cells have spread beyond the rectum, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may be recommended after surgery.
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Considerations
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When discussing a cancer prognosis, the doctor will take into account individual factors, such as the person's age and overall health.
Outlook
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According to Emedicine, the five-year survival rate for Stage 1 rectal cancer is 70 to 80 percent. People with Stage 4 rectal cancer, on the other hand, have a less than 10 percent chance of being alive five years later.
Warning
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Even when rectal cancer is treated successfully, it may come back. It's important to have regular colonoscopies to monitor for recurrence.
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