Colorectal Cancer

When cancer develops in your colon or rectum, you want to see a specialist with years of focused experience in that specific area. You’ll find them here, alongside a complete multidisciplinary team focused on your needs. You may also be able to fast track a colonoscopy.

Colorectal Cancer At A Glance

Symptoms

Symptoms are rare in the early stages of colorectal cancer, so regular screenings are important. If symptoms are present, they may include blood in your stool, changes in bowel habits, anemia, or persistent stomach discomfort. If symptoms are found, don’t wait, find a doctor or call 602.406.8222 to schedule a screening for colorectal cancer.

Steps to Diagnosis

Whether identified during a screening or a regular visit with your physician, you will be referred to a colorectal specialist for testing. This may include a biopsy, colonoscopy, molecular testing, or blood tests. Get tested with a Fast Track Colonoscopy without a pre-screening or consultation if you qualify. 

Common Concerns

Colorectal cancer is the third-most diagnosed cancer in America, and risk factors have been shown to increase as you get older. When found early, it can often be fully cured. Men and women should begin regular cancer screening at age 45 if you are at average risk. If you have a family history or genetic concerns, screening should begin earlier.

Prevention

Regular colorectal screenings are the best way to prevent or catch colorectal cancer early. Knowing your family history assists in early detection and maintaining a healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, can also lower your overall risk.

Treatment

Colon cancer is very treatable and responds very well to therapy, especially if found in the early stages. In addition to standard care options, our goal is to push the boundaries of treatment. And we are relentless in our pursuit of the best treatment options for our patients.

These options may include:

Surgery

We offer a range of surgical approaches including minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotically-assisted surgery. These result in less bleeding, fewer complications and quicker recovery, meaning you get back to your regular activities a lot faster.

Chemotherapy

Intravenous and/or oral medication that attacks and kills cancer cells in the body. Many patients maintain normal activities during treatments.

Brachytherapy and Radiation Therapy

High-powered energy beams, such as X-rays, are used to kill cancer cells directly. We also have expertise in brachytherapy, which is high-dose radiation therapy delivered precisely to the tumor bed. This approach spares healthy tissue and minimizes the after effects of the radiation.

Targeted Therapy

Therapy focused on blocking the growth and spread of cancer cells by targeting the specific genes, proteins, or tissue affected by cancer.

Photo Credit: Nick Merrick

Our Approach

We’re pleased to offer a screening colonoscopy program for all patients. One of the highlights of this program is our Fast Track Colonoscopy for patients without major medical problems. This open access procedure does not require a pre-screening visit or consultation – your physician will conduct your consultation and colonoscopy on the same day. And if you do have medical problems, we can still do the colonoscopy but your physician may need to see you in the office before the procedure. Call 602.406.8222 to discuss your options.

Our interdisciplinary team considers the right care plan from multiple perspectives, often consulting with our other experts in a tumor board to gather up-to-the-moment insight on treatment options.  

Then, your course of treatment will be designed to suit your exact medical needs, using precision medicine to do the most good while remaining minimally invasive. That means we’re focused not just on eradicating the disease, but on preserving your quality of life before, during, and after your treatment.

We are here to help you heal as a whole person.  Wherever your care path leads, you can be sure our entire team will be there with you every step of the way.

Please contact us for more information about other cancers and conditions we treat including:

• Transanal Surgery
• Colon Polyp
• Appendicular/Appendix
• Esophageal
• Gastric/Stomach
• Small Bowel
• Colon/Large Bowel
• Rectal
• Anal – Perineal Skin Cancer or Dysplasia
• GIST (GI Stromal Tumor)