What is colorectal cancer and how is it treated?
Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum and is one of the more common cancers affecting adults in India. When detected early, it is highly treatable through surgery, chemotherapy, or a combination of both. S.L. Raheja Hospital in Mumbai provides comprehensive colorectal cancer care through its surgical oncology programme, covering diagnosis, staging, and multimodal treatment.
Tip: Colorectal cancer that is identified at Stage 1 is generally confined to the inner lining of the bowel wall, making surgical removal the primary and often definitive treatment.
What are the first signs of colorectal cancer?
Early-stage colorectal cancer may produce no symptoms at all, which is why routine screening is essential. As the disease progresses, the following signs may appear:
- Blood in the stool — visible red or dark blood, or blood detected in routine blood work
- A persistent change in bowel habits lasting more than three weeks (diarrhoea, constipation, or narrowing of stool)
- A feeling that the bowel does not empty completely after a motion
- Unexplained abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating
- Unintentional weight loss without a clear cause
- Persistent fatigue or weakness, which may indicate anaemia from slow internal bleeding
- Nausea or vomiting in more advanced cases
Warning: Blood in the stool should never be assumed to be caused by haemorrhoids without a clinical evaluation. Consult a specialist if you notice rectal bleeding, especially if it persists beyond a few days.
Stage 1 colon cancer symptoms are often subtle. Fatigue and minor changes in bowel habit are among the earliest signals that warrant investigation.
What are the risk factors for bowel cancer?
Understanding your personal risk profile helps determine how early and how frequently you should be screened. Key risk factors include:
| Risk Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | Risk increases significantly after age 45 |
| Family history | First-degree relative with colorectal cancer or polyps |
| Inflammatory bowel disease | Long-standing Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis |
| Diet | High intake of red or processed meat; low fibre diet |
| Sedentary lifestyle | Physical inactivity and obesity |
| Smoking and alcohol | Both are independently associated with increased risk |
| Diabetes | Type 2 diabetes is linked to a modestly elevated risk |
Individuals with hereditary syndromes such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) carry a substantially higher lifetime risk and require earlier, more frequent surveillance.
At what age should I get a colorectal cancer screening?
Screening allows doctors to detect polyps or early-stage cancer before symptoms develop. For average-risk adults, screening is generally recommended from age 45. Those with a family history or hereditary risk factors may need to begin earlier.
Common screening and diagnostic tests include:
- Colonoscopy — the gold-standard test; allows direct visualisation of the entire colon and removal of polyps in the same procedure. Recommended every 10 years for average-risk individuals with normal findings.
- Faecal occult blood test (FOBT) / faecal immunochemical test (FIT) — detects hidden blood in stool; typically performed annually.
- CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) — a non-invasive imaging alternative when optical colonoscopy is not feasible.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy — examines the lower portion of the colon; less comprehensive than full colonoscopy.
- Blood tests — signs of colorectal cancer in blood work include anaemia (low haemoglobin), elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and abnormal liver function if the disease has spread.
Tip: A colonoscopy is both a screening and a preventive procedure — polyps found during the test can be removed immediately, reducing cancer risk before it develops.
What surgery and treatment options are available for colorectal cancer?
Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, its location, and the patient's overall health. The main treatment modalities are:
- Surgery (colectomy or rectal resection) — the primary treatment for localised colorectal cancer. The affected segment of bowel is removed along with nearby lymph nodes. Minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic-assisted) approaches are used where appropriate to reduce recovery time.
- Chemotherapy — used after surgery (adjuvant) to reduce recurrence risk, or before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink tumours. For Stage 4 colon cancer treatment, chemotherapy is often the cornerstone of systemic disease management. Learn more about medical oncology services at S.L. Raheja Hospital.
- Radiation therapy — more commonly used for rectal cancer, often combined with chemotherapy before surgery.
- Targeted therapy and immunotherapy — used in selected patients based on tumour molecular profiling, particularly for advanced or metastatic disease.
- Palliative care — for Stage 4 disease, the goal shifts to controlling symptoms and maintaining quality of life alongside systemic treatment.
| Stage | Primary Approach |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Surgery alone; treatment for colon cancer Stage 1 is typically curative |
| Stage 2 | Surgery; chemotherapy considered for high-risk features |
| Stage 3 | Surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy |
| Stage 4 | Systemic chemotherapy, targeted therapy; surgery for selected patients |
When should you see a specialist for bowel symptoms?
Do not wait for symptoms to become severe. Seek a specialist evaluation if you experience any of the following:
- Blood in or on the stool on more than one occasion
- A change in bowel habit (frequency, consistency, or calibre) lasting longer than three weeks
- Unexplained weight loss of more than 5% of body weight over a few months
- Persistent abdominal discomfort — cramping, gas, or pain — that does not resolve
- Fatigue or breathlessness that may suggest anaemia from occult bleeding
- You are aged 45 or above and have not had a colorectal cancer screening
- You have a first-degree relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps
Early consultation allows for timely colonoscopy and, if needed, prompt staging and treatment planning.
How does S.L. Raheja Hospital in Mumbai approach colorectal cancer care?
S.L. Raheja Hospital, located in Mahim West, Mumbai, offers colorectal cancer management through a multidisciplinary team spanning surgical oncology, medical oncology, gastroenterology, and radiology. Patients benefit from coordinated care — from initial colonoscopy and staging through to surgery, chemotherapy, and post-treatment surveillance — within a single clinical environment.
The hospital's surgical oncology team evaluates each case individually to determine whether open, laparoscopic, or robotic-assisted resection is most appropriate. Patients with associated metabolic conditions such as diabetes are supported through the hospital's diabetes care programme, which is relevant given the established link between Type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer risk.
Book a consultation at S.L. Raheja Hospital
Use the booking form on this page, or reach out directly at info@rahejahospital.com