Colorectal Conditions

Colorectal cancer, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel disease are common conditions related to your intestines.

Colorectal cancer

Colon cancer is caused when tumors form along the lining of the. Risk factors for developing colon cancer include family history, certain hereditary conditions, or a history or polyps, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease.

Rectal cancer is due to a tumor in the rectum, which is in the latter part of the large intestine. Someone who is 50 years old or older and has a personal or family history of certain conditions can have an increased chance of getting rectal cancer.

Treatment for colon and rectal cancer depend on the stage of cancer, and can include surgery, radiofrequency ablation, cryosurgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.

Diverticulitis

Diverticular disease results when small pouches form and push outward on the colon wall. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflamed, irritated, swollen, and infected. The most widely accepted cause of diverticulitis, especially in people over 60 years old, is a low-fiber diet.

Symptoms can include:

Pain in the abdomen
Fevers and chills
Nausea or vomiting
Changes in the bowels
Diverticular bleeding

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a group of diseases that cause the intestines to become inflamed. The most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis causes swelling and sores ( ulcers) and formd in the lining of the large intestine. Crohn's disease is patches of inflammation of any part of the intestine.

Talk to your doctor about your symptoms to diagnose the cause and determine the best treatment.

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