Is Proton Therapy The Best Treatment For Rectal Cancer? What You Need To Know

Rectal cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the rectum, the last segment of the large intestine. This can result in a tumor when cells from this area proliferate unconsciously.In advanced stages,if left untreated, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body. So, the early stages of rectal cancer are the most significant for the favorable outcome. If ever you, or a family member, were diagnosed with rectal cancer, you should know what options are available in terms of treatments. One of them is a unique kind of radiation called proton therapy.

What is Rectal Cancer?

Rectal cancer is a form of cancer of the colorium, which develops within the last segment of the digestive system that has been styled as the storage container for stool to be expelled from the body.Rectal cancer causes various symptoms, though some may not appear until the later stages. Some common symptoms include; alterations in bowel movements. This may include regular occurrences of diarrhea, constipation, or a sensation of ineffectual bowel movements.

Blood in the stool: Visible red or dark-colored blood in the stool may be a sign of rectal bleeding.
Abdominal pain: Pain could be dull or crampy.
Unintentional weight loss: An unexplained loss of weight could be due to many forms of cancer; one being rectal cancer.
Fatigue: Forgetting how weak, tired, and lacking energy is.

Rectal Cancer Causes:

The exact cause of rectal cancer is unknown, but several factors increase the risk of developing it:

• Age: With advancing age, the risk of getting rectal cancer increases, especially in individuals over 50 years.
• Diet: Large dietary intake of red meat and processed foods has been associated with increased risks of colorectal cancers. Low-fiber diets might also play a role.
• Lifestyle factors: Smoking, alcoholism, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity are predisposing factors.
• Family history and genetics: Individuals having a family history of colorectal cancer or with a genetic predilection like Lynch syndrome are at a higher risk of developing rectal cancer.

There are various treatments for rectal cancer, including which depends on the patient's disease stage and health as well as other personal factors. Common treatment options include the following:

1. Surgery:

Surgery is often the primary treatment for rectal cancer. The type of surgery usually depends on the location and extent of the cancer. Some common surgical options include:

• Local excision: Early-stage rectal cancer might be removed without cutting into the abdominal wall.
• Low anterior resection (LAR): This involves removing part of the rectum and connecting the colon to the remaining rectum if the cancer is located higher in the rectum.
• Abdominoperineal resection (APR): This procedure removes the rectum and anus if the cancers are located closer to the anus, and it has the effect of requiring a permanent colostomy.

2. Radiation Therapy:

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays that kill or destroy cancer cells. It could be used before surgery to diminish the size of the tumor or after surgery to eliminate residual cancer cells. Doctors may combine this with traditional radiation and chemotherapy for more aggressive treatment.

3. Chemotherapy:

Chemotherapy is the treatment administered that employs drugs to kill the cancerous cells or altogether prevent them from growing. Often, it is used with radiation therapy in treating rectal cancer. In some instances, advanced cases also use chemotherapy as part of their palliative treatments to reduce suffering and improve quality of life.

4. Combination Therapies:

For rectal cancer, the treatments combined can be surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. Treatments are decided based on the stage of the cancer and how well the patient is doing.

Proton therapy uses a focused beam of protons to precisely target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.Unlike traditional radiation therapy, this method uses X-rays and gives way to more controlled and localized radiation to destroy cells with minimum damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs.

Advantages Of Proton Therapy

• Accuracy: The proton beams can be controlled such that they can stop at a particular depth in the tissue; this decreases the dose of exposure to healthy tissues.
• Accumulates more doses to the tumor: Since the number of healthy tissues are spared in proton therapy, doctors can give higher doses of radiation to the tumor. This increases the chances of cancer cell death.
• Fewer side effects: Proton therapy has fewer side effects, including fatigue, diarrhea, and damage to structures close to the rectum, like bladder or reproductive organs.

When Should I Consider Proton Therapy For Rectal Cancer?

The decision to consider proton therapy for rectal cancer depends on several factors, such as:

• The stage of cancer: Some stages of rectal cancer respond better to treatment when precision is a priority, for instance, where the tumor may have come near to the bladder or reproductive organs.
• Patient's general health: Overall health, age, and other diseases will determine what is best for the patient.
• Treatment Goals: If a patient is interested in avoiding long-term complications of treatment, such as infertility or damage to a normal organ, proton therapy may be a good choice.

Discuss with your oncologist the specifics that may be tailored for you. Proton therapy is a good choice; however, not everyone who presents with rectal cancer will benefit from it.

Colon Cancer vs. Rectal Cancer

Rectal cancer, like colon cancer, is classified under colorectal cancer. While both diseases present with the same general nature, they can vary in terms of place and treatment procedures.Colon cancer affects the large intestine, while rectal cancer specifically affects the rectum, the last part of the large intestine. In many cases, the treatment of both rectal and colon cancer follows the same protocol; however, surgical methods employed in rectal cancer are more complex compared to those used in colon cancer because rectal cancer is located much closer to the anus.

The cost of treating rectal or colon cancer in India varies. Factors such as the type of treatment (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, proton therapy), hospital, and the patient’s overall health influence the total cost.Proton therapy is usually very pricey compared with a traditional treatment with radiation. In India, prices can go as high as INR 28 -33 lakhs or more for advanced treatments like proton therapy.

• Lowest Cost (approx): $33000
• Average Cost (approx): $36000
• Highest Cost (approx): $39000

India offers world-class colon cancer treatment at leading hospitals, known for advanced technology and expert oncologists. Top hospitals include Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai), Apollo Cancer Institute (Chennai), Fortis Memorial (Gurgaon), Max Super Specialty (Delhi), and Narayana Health (Bengaluru). These centers provide comprehensive care with options like robotic surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, making India an affordable yet high-quality destination for colon cancer treatment. BharatOne Care connects international patients to these top institutions, ensuring a seamless medical experience.

Conclusion

Rectal cancer is one of the most serious diseases, but most patients achieve successful outcomes with early detection and proper treatment. Proton therapy indeed brings one of the most advanced options for treatment because it directs the correct results to the cancerous cells without harming much of the healthy tissues around them. But it is not the right choice for everyone. Therefore, according to a healthcare provider, a patient should discuss all the possible treatments with him or her to find out which one best suits his or her condition.