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Colon and Rectal Cancer, Metastatic (Spreading)

Definition

A metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another. In metastatic colon and rectal cancer (colorectal cancer), cancer cells from the colon or rectum begin to grow in another part of the body, usually the liver or lungs.

A metastasis occurs when cells from a cancer break off from the original tumor and travel through the lymph system or the bloodstream to another location. The exact cause of the spread of cancer cells is unknown.

Getting Diangosed / Treatment

Metastastic colon cancer is treated in the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center's Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Clinic.

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What are the symptoms?

Some possible symptoms of the recurrence or spread of colorectal cancer include:

• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite
• fatigue
• weight loss
• urinary tract problems (pain or increased frequency of urination)
  pelvic or rectal pain.
  

How is it diagnosed?

Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and examine you. In addition, you may have the following tests:

A CT scan uses x-rays in a way that gives more detailed information than plain x-rays, especially about tissues that are not bone.

A colonoscopy is a procedure in which your health care provider inserts a slim, flexible tube into the rectum to see the inside of the colon. Your provider may take a sample, or biopsy, of any abnormal tissue to examine for cancer cells.

A barium x-ray is a procedure in which barium is put into your rectum as an enema. After the barium enema, a technologist takes x-ray pictures as the barium moves through your colon and rectum. Your provider will use the x-rays to look for abnormal shapes, narrowing, or blockage in the colon.

What is the treatment?

The treatment depends on where the cancer has spread. Development of more cancer in the colon may require more surgery. Spread to the liver or lungs is treated with chemotherapy (drugs). If the cancer has spread to the bone, radiation treatments may lessen pain and prevent further spread.

How long will the effects last?

Metastatic colorectal cancer can usually be controlled only for a limited time. Talk to your health care provider about the expected course of your disease. Every prediction of your outcome is, of course, an informed guess and you may prove it wrong.

How can I take care of myself?

After you determine with your health care provider and family the treatment you prefer at this stage, follow the plan and keep your appointments. If you seek help outside the medical community, keep your provider informed about other drugs or treatments you are using to avoid side effects or interactions with your regular treatment. In addition:

It may be useful to see a counselor to help you deal with your feelings and your particular situation.

What can be done to help prevent metastatic colon and rectal cancer?

After you are first diagnosed with colorectal cancer, follow your treatment and follow-up plans carefully. This may help avoid the spread of cancer or delay metastasis as long as possible. See your health care provider right away if any signs or symptoms of cancer come back.

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updated 3/2006

Developed by McKesson Health Solutions LLC.
Published by McKesson Health Solutions LLC.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

Copyright © 2006 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.

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University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
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This site is part of the U-M Health System. The information presented is not a tool for self diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. © 2008 U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center