Other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, may be used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that remain and reduce the risk that cancer will return. When possible, surgery is used to cut away the cancer cells. Rectal cancer treatment often involves a combination of therapies. By stage IV, the cancer is considered advanced and has spread (metastasized) to other areas of the body. The lowest stage indicates cancer that is limited to the lining of the inside of the rectum. The stages of rectal cancer are indicated by Roman numerals that range from 0 to IV. Your doctor uses information from these tests to assign your cancer a stage. An MRI also shows the lymph nodes near the rectum and different layers of tissue in the rectal wall. An MRI provides a detailed image of the muscles, organs and other tissues surrounding a tumor in the rectum. This imaging test helps determine whether rectal cancer has spread to other organs, such as the liver and lungs. CEA testing is particularly useful in monitoring your response to treatment. One such marker, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), may be higher than usual in people with colorectal cancer. Cancers sometimes produce substances called tumor markers that can be detected in blood. High levels of other chemicals may indicate problems with other organs, such as the kidneys. Abnormal levels of some of these chemicals may suggest that cancer has spread to the liver. A chemistry panel is a blood test to measures levels of different chemicals in the blood. Blood tests to measure organ function.A high level of white blood cells is a sign of infection, which is a risk if a rectal tumor grows through the wall of the rectum. A CBC shows whether your red blood cell count is low (anemia), which suggests that a tumor is causing blood loss. This test reports the numbers of different types of cells in your blood. The stage of your cancer helps determine your prognosis and your treatment options. Once you're diagnosed with rectal cancer, the next step is to determine the cancer's extent (stage). Your doctor uses this information to understand your prognosis and determine your treatment options. Tests can determine whether the cells are cancer, whether they're aggressive and which genes in the cancer cells are abnormal.
The tissue sample is sent to a lab to be examined by doctors who specialize in analyzing blood and body tissues (pathologists).
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