What’s the difference between bowel, colorectal, rectal and colon cancer?

Understanding the difference between bowel, colorectal, rectal and colon cancer can be confusing.

Bowel cancer is used to describe cancer in any part of the large bowel (colon or rectum). It is sometimes referred as colorectal cancer and might also be called colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where it starts in the bowel.

Bowel cancer develops from the inner lining of the bowel and usually develops from small growths on the bowel wall called polyps. Colorectal cancer is a broader term that encompasses both colon and rectal cancer and results from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the large intestine. Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women in Australia and is more common in people over the age of 50.

Surgery is the main treatment for early and advanced colon cancer. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, you may have chemotherapy after surgery, which is called adjuvant chemotherapy.

Surgery is the main treatment for early rectal cancer. If the cancer has spread beyond the rectal wall and/or into nearby lymph nodes before surgery, you will require chemotherapy or radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy. After surgery you may require further chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Sometimes, colon and rectal cancers require chemotherapy and radiation prior to surgery to reduce the size of the tumour. Smaller cancers are easier to remove completely, and the surgery is less complicated. Plus, these treatments kill tiny cancers that might have spread which reduces the chance of the cancer coming back.

When bowel cancer has spread outside the bowel to other parts of the body such as the liver, lung, or lining of the abdomen and pelvis, this is known as advanced bowel cancer. To control the cancer, slow its growth and manage symptoms such as pain, a combination of different treatments may be recommended such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated, which is why screening and early detection is so important.

The content on the Icon Cancer Centre website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified medical practitioner. For personalised medical guidance, please consult with your GP or another qualified healthcare provider.