Why Choose Us for Colorectal Cancer Treatment
Huntsman Cancer Institute is at the forefront of colorectal cancer treatment, with a multidisciplinary team specializing in modern treatments like neoadjuvant immunotherapy and minimally invasive surgery. We also have a high-risk genetics clinic centered around working with patients and their families on genetic counseling and rare familial disorders that often overlap with colon and rectal cancer.
As a leader in colorectal cancer clinical trials, our focus is on breakthroughs in treatments, and our innovative Huntsman at Homeâ„¢ program makes it possible for many patients to recover from surgery without staying overnight in a hospital setting.
When colorectal cancer disrupted Alina Wilson's life, Huntsman Cancer Institute was there with answers.
Specialized Treatments
We specialize in personalized treatment plans, providing state-of-the-art, comprehensive care and the most advanced treatments available.
We work closely with each patient to decide which of the following treatments or combination of treatments is best for them:
- Watch and wait (non-operative or organ preservation therapy)
- Neoadjuvant immunotherapy
- Minimally invasive surgery (including laparoscopic and robotic)
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Liver-directed therapy
Learn more about types of cancer treatments and cancer screenings such as colonoscopy.
Our Expertise
Our comprehensive approach to colorectal cancer encompasses patient care, cutting-edge research, and community education. We are a leader in colorectal cancer research trials, such as the ColoCare study, with the goal of tailoring therapies to each patient’s unique biology in order to identify strategies that improve health post-diagnosis.
Patient Care Philosophy
We believe no one should face cancer alone. Our dedicated and world-renowned doctors, nurses, and medical staff are at the forefront of patient-centered care. We treat the whole person, not just their cancer.
Each day, our medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists work together across disciplines to create and coordinate treatment plans for every patient. We understand cancer is a complex disease. That is why we use a team approach that includes social workers and support groups, as well as wellness and integrative health services such as acupuncture, massage, creative arts, and more.
Find a Colorectal Cancer Doctor
Colorectal Cancer Research
At Huntsman Cancer Institute, research is critical to our mission of better understanding, treating, and preventing cancer. We have that focus on laboratory, clinical, and population-based studies. We also have that serve as collaborative hubs where doctors and scientists share findings and work together to accelerate progress.
Our scientists study the biology of cancer, explore the promise of immunotherapy, and find new ways to treat people using personalized medicine. We have made significant discoveries about genes linked to cancer risk, and our experts train the next generation of cancer researchers to make a difference in cancer care.
In addition, clinical trials test new drugs, drug combinations, procedures, and processes. These are key to improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, and care. Patients on clinical trials may receive access to cutting-edge therapies not yet widely available, with studies being closely monitored so patient well-being is always the top priority. Our goal is to find new cancer treatments and improve the quality of life for people with cancer.
Clinical Trials
Make an Appointment with a Colorectal Cancer Specialist
To make an appointment with a colon cancer or rectal cancer specialist, fill out our appointment form or call 801-587-7000. Our team will determine if your insurance covers treatment at Huntsman Cancer Institute or if you need a referral from a primary care doctor.
External providers can refer a patient using the online referral form or by calling 801-587-7000 to speak to a patient registration specialist.
Colorectal Cancer Basics
Early detection through screening is important because colon cancer and rectal cancer are highly treatable in early stages. Lifestyle factors like maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol use may help reduce the risk. Along with stool and blood tests, colonoscopies are a common screening method to detect polyps or cancer early.
Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the colon (large intestine), which is the final part of the digestive tract. It typically starts as small, benign clumps of cells called polyps, which over time can develop into cancer.
These are possible signs and symptoms of colon cancer:
- Change in bowel habits
- Blood in the stool
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way
- Stools that are narrower than usual
- Frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps
- Weight loss for no known reason
- Feeling very tired
- Vomiting
Many other health problems can also cause these signs. If you have any of these signs, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Anatomy of the lower digestive system, showing the colon and other organs.
The chance of getting colon cancer increases with age. These are other risk factors:
- A personal history of colon, rectal, or ovarian cancer or high-risk colorectal polyps
- A family history of colon cancer or rectal cancer in a parent, child, or sibling
- Changes in certain genes that increase the risk of cancer, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome)
- A personal history of Crohn’s disease or chronic ulcerative colitis
- Having three or more alcoholic drinks per day
- Smoking
- Obesity
Learn more about ways to prevent cancer and about family history and genetic counseling.
These tests screen for and diagnose colon cancer:
- Colonoscopy: Using a lighted scope, the health care provider looks at the full length of the colon for anything unusual. If polyps are found, the provider will remove them to test for cancer or to prevent them from turning into cancer in the future. Screening colonoscopies are recommended for everyone starting at age 45.
- Sigmoidoscopy: Using a lighted scope, the health care provider looks at the lower part of the colon for anything unusual. If polyps are found, the provider will remove them to test for cancer or to prevent them from turning into cancer in the future.
- Stool-based tests: These tests look for blood or tumor fragments in the stool. The stool sample is usually collected at home and delivered to the laboratory for testing. Blood in the stool may be a sign of cancer in the colon.
- Blood-based tests: These tests look for tumor fragments in blood samples.
- Virtual colonoscopy: The colon is examined through a computed tomography scan that creates images of the colon.
- Biopsy: The health care provider removes cell or tissue samples so they can be viewed under a microscope to check for signs of cancer. Biopsies are often done as part of a colonoscopy.
Cancer stages show whether cancer has spread within or around the colon or to other parts of the body. Cancer spreads in the body in three ways: through tissue, the lymph system, or the blood.
These are the stages used for colon cancer:
- Stage 1 and 2: The cancer has formed and grown into the wall of the colon with no evidence of spread.
- Stage 3: The cancer has grown into the wall of the colon and has spread to the lymph nodes nearby.
- Stage 4: The cancer has spread to organs away from the colon such as the liver or lungs.
When cancer spreads from where it started to another part of the body, it is called metastasis. These metastatic cancer cells are the same type of cancer as the primary tumor. For example, if colon cancer spreads to the bone, the cancer cells in the bone are actually colon cancer cells. The disease is metastatic colon cancer, not bone cancer.
Rectal Cancer
Rectal cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the tissues at the end of the large intestine, or rectum.
These are possible signs and symptoms of rectal cancer:
- Blood (bright red or dark) in the stool
- General pain or discomfort in the abdomen
- Change in appetite
- Sudden, unexplained weight loss
- Feeling unusually tired
- A change in bowel habits:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- A feeling that the bowel does not empty
- Stools that are narrower or have a different shape than usual
Many other health problems can also cause these signs. If you have any of these signs, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean you are sure to get cancer. It means your chances are higher than the average person’s. Talk with your doctor to learn more about your cancer risk.
The chance of getting rectal cancer increases with age. These are other risk factors for rectal cancer:
- A personal history of colon, rectal, or ovarian cancer or high-risk colorectal polyps
- A family history of colon or rectal cancer in a parent, child, or sibling
- Changes in certain genes that increase the risk of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome)
- A personal history of Crohn’s disease or chronic ulcerative colitis
- Having three or more alcoholic drinks per day
- Smoking
- Being obese
- Being Black
Learn more about ways to prevent cancer and about family history and genetic counseling.
Screening looks for cancer before you have symptoms. Screening can also check for anything unusual if you notice changes in your bowel habits or have blood in your stool. Screening can rule out an issue or help find cancer at an early stage, when it may be easier to treat.
Doctors use these tests to screen for and diagnose rectal cancer:
- Colonoscopy: Using a lighted scope, the health care provider looks at the full length of the colon to look for anything unusual. If polyps are found, the provider removes them to test for cancer or to prevent them from turning into cancer in the future. Screening colonoscopies are recommended for everyone starting at age 45.
- Sigmoidoscopy: Using a lighted scope, the health care provider looks at the lower part of the colon and rectum for anything unusual. If polyps are found, the provider removes them to test for cancer or to prevent them from turning into cancer in the future.
- Barium enema: After filling the lower colon with a liquid that contains barium, which improves the image quality, health care providers take X-rays to look for polyps or anything unusual in the colon or rectum.
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT): This checks for small amounts of blood in the stool. The stool sample is usually collected at home and delivered to the lab for testing. Blood in the stool may be a sign of cancer in the colon or rectum.
- Physical exam and history: A health care provider examines your body for signs of disease. Your personal health habits, past illnesses, and symptoms help guide the exam.
- Digital rectal examination (DRE): As part of the physical exam, the health care provider may examine the anus and rectum with a gloved finger.
- Virtual colonoscopy: The colon and rectum are examined through a computed tomography scan that creates images of the colon.
- Biopsy: The health care provider removes cell or tissue samples so they can be viewed under a microscope to check for signs of cancer. Biopsies are often done as part of a colonoscopy.
Cancer stages show whether cancer has spread within or around the rectum or to other parts of the body. Cancer spreads in the body in three ways: through tissue, the lymph system, or the blood.
These are the stages used for rectal cancer:
- Stage 1: The cancer has formed and grown into the wall of the rectum.
- Stage 2 (2A, 2B, 2C): The cancer has grown through the rectal wall but has not invaded other organs.
- Stage 3 (3A, 3B, 3C): The cancer has grown into the rectal wall and has spread to the lymph nodes nearby.
- Stage 4 (4A, 4B, 4C): The cancer has spread to organs away from the rectum such as the liver or lungs.
When cancer spreads from where it started to another part of the body, it is called metastasis. These metastatic cancer cells are the same type of cancer as the primary tumor. For example, if rectal cancer spreads to the bone, the cancer cells in the bone are actually rectal cancer cells. The disease is metastatic rectal cancer, not bone cancer.
