Introduction
The rectum is the terminal portion of the colon/ large intestine connecting it to the anal canal as seen in fig1.0 below. It serves mainly as the storage unit of fecal content, preparing it for evacuation by absorbing water and electrolyte. Like any other structure in the Human body, it is a potential site to various diseases condition which includes Cancer which has a high tendency of spreading to neighboring and distant structures. This spreading action is due the complex and diverse vessels associated with the rectum as cancers located at or below the peritoneal reflection are considered rectal origin. Cancer begins when normal cells begin to change and grow uncontrollably, forming a mass called a tumor. Cancer in the colon and that of the rectum share many similar features thus both mostly termed as "Colorectal Cancer". In addition, colorectal cancer is curable in approximately 50 percent of patients when it is diagnosed and treated while still localized to the bowel and amenable to surgery.
Fig1.0 Parts of the large intestine @2013.colorectal-cancer.ca/en/
Rectal Cancer can be defined as:
"As characterized by uncontrolled growth, division and spread of abnormal cells forming in the tissues of the rectum"
Cancer starts as cell but gradually reproduce to become a tissue called primary tumor. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body). Malignant cells enter into the blood and lymphatic circulation to a second site for tumorigenesis, the new tumor is called secondary or metastatic tumor which in the case of the rectal cancer, sites include the Brain, Lungs, Liver and bones. Other form of spread include Transcoelomic and Transplantation/ implantation.
"As characterized by uncontrolled growth, division and spread of abnormal cells forming in the tissues of the rectum"
Cancer starts as cell but gradually reproduce to become a tissue called primary tumor. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body). Malignant cells enter into the blood and lymphatic circulation to a second site for tumorigenesis, the new tumor is called secondary or metastatic tumor which in the case of the rectal cancer, sites include the Brain, Lungs, Liver and bones. Other form of spread include Transcoelomic and Transplantation/ implantation.