Colorectal diseases are very common. Some can cause recognizable symptoms such as abdominal pain or rectal bleeding. Others may progress silently, detectable only through screenings. In both cases, experienced colorectal specialists can help identify symptoms, any risk factors, and causes — such as colon cancer and other “invisible” colon diseases — early on, when they are most treatable.
What are Colorectal Diseases?
What are Colorectal Diseases?Colorectal diseases include any diseases affecting the colon, rectum, or anal canal, which together make up the large bowel. Colorectal diseases include colon and rectal cancer, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, among others.
Common symptoms of colorectal diseases include:
- Abdominal pain
- Blood in your stool
- Diarrhea or constipation that doesn’t go away
- Rectal or anal pain
Expert Medical Care for All Colorectal Diseases
Expert Medical CareNewYork-Presbyterian doctors treat a wide range of colorectal conditions.
From the initial screening test and diagnosis through treatment and beyond, we provide care for people with every type of colorectal disorder, including:
A Comprehensive Health Care Team
A Comprehensive Health Care TeamTreating colorectal diseases requires a collaborative approach. We put together the expert team of health care professionals you need, drawing upon the skills of our distinguished cadre of gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, and nurses.
Registered dietitians are an integral part of your care and will work with you to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need. Genetic counselors are also available to meet with patients and families with hereditary syndromes or medical histories that place them at increased risk for certain cancers and other digestive and kidney diseases.
Comprehensive Diagnosis Of Colorectal Diseases
DiagnosisThe symptoms of colorectal diseases can be quite general. We offer a thorough evaluation to diagnose colorectal disorders — the first and most important step in making sure you get the most effective treatment.
Through a one-on-one exchange, your doctor will ask you about your personal and family medical history, your symptoms, and other factors that can help lead to an accurate diagnosis. From there, you may undergo diagnostic testing.
We offer every type of test that may be needed, such as:
- Stool studies and blood tests to look for infection and inflammation
- Tumor marker tests to guide treatment options for colorectal cancer
- Genetic testing for colorectal cancer and other hereditary disorders
- Barium enema, an examination of your lower digestive tract using an X-ray and a contrast agent
- Colonoscopy, and inspection of the inside of the colon using a flexible scope
- Sigmoidoscopy, an inspection of the rectum and sigmoid colon, the lower end of your colon
- CT scans and MRI, imaging studies to evaluate and diagnose multiple colorectal diseases
The Latest Treatments for Colorectal Diseases
TreatmentNew York-Presbyterian’s expert colorectal surgeons have refined and developed the latest colorectal procedures in use today. They take a minimally invasive approach to rectal and colon cancer whenever possible by performing robotic or laparoscopic surgery, operating through smaller incisions that result in less postoperative pain and a quicker recovery than conventional open abdominal surgery.
If you need a permanent or temporary ostomy (a bag worn outside the abdomen to collect waste), we have compassionate and experienced ostomy nurses to help you. However, our surgeons try to avoid the need for an ostomy bag whenever possible, specializing in advanced reconstructive techniques to create a replacement “J-pouch” in people who need to have the colon and rectum removed.
Clinical trials for new treatments
Our researchers are directing clinical trials evaluating novel treatment approaches for colorectal cancer and other diseases that affect the entire colon. Your treatment team will let you know if you’re eligible to participate in a clinical trial of innovative investigational therapy.
This content has been reviewed by the following medical editors.
Get Care From Our Expert Colorectal Diseases Care Team
Get in touch with NewYork-Presbyterian today to learn more about colorectal diseases and the range of treatment options we can provide.