Lahey Cancer Institute
Clinical experts of Lahey Cancer Institute offer research, training and education in addition to personalized patient care using advanced treatments at locations convenient to you.
Colon & Rectal Cancer Care
Expert diagnosis and care for colon and rectal cancers
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Complete Colon and Rectal Cancer Services
At Lahey Clinic, our expert team of specialists provides a full range of high-quality colorectal cancer services. Our patient-focused care ensures you are treated with respect and compassion every step of the way.
Colon cancer includes cancer of the colon, rectum and anus. It is sometimes called bowel cancer. Colorectal cancer is curable when discovered and treated properly in its early stages. From the moment you begin care, we want you to feel confident that you are in expert hands and in the right place.
Our quality care combines clinical excellence in digestive health, a personal touch, and a focus on your input and convenience. Our complete care carries through any and all phases of treatment. This ensures you get the seamless, integrated care you need and deserve.
Nationally Recognized Colorectal Care at Lahey
If your test results show colorectal cancer, be assured that you will not face it alone. We will pair you with a patient navigator to help guide you through treatment decisions and survivorship. We will support you, educate you and treat you according to best practices and the highest clinical standards.
Lahey has a nationally renowned colorectal surgical team. It includes leaders in their field who have played national roles with the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.
More About Colorectal Cancer Care
Early Screening & Diagnosis
Lahey offers the latest tools and techniques for screening and diagnosing colon cancer. Our care continues with minimally invasive biopsies, surgery, targeted radiation, genetic counseling and risk assessment, and much more.
The most common and effective screening and diagnostic procedure for colon cancer is a colonoscopy. At Lahey, we offer both standard and virtual colonoscopy. Our diagnostic tools also include CT scans, PET scans, MRI, ultrasound and endoscopy techniques. All of our care is delivered with professionalism, dignity and respect.
Precise Diagnosis and Care Planning from an Expert Team
Our goal is to provide a precise diagnosis and learn if your cancer has spread. This is called “staging” your tumor. If it has spread, it’s called metastatic colon cancer. These details help guide the most appropriate treatment plan for you. The good news is that colorectal cancer is curable when diagnosed early.
To form your care team, Lahey providers from various medical specialties come together to form the best treatment plan for you. Your team will include radiologists, surgical oncologists, colorectal surgeons, pathologists and other experts.
Genetic Counseling & Fertility Counseling
If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer or have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may be interested in genetic testing and counseling. Lahey is among the pioneers in this area.
We have a robust Familial Cancer and Hereditary Risk Assessment program that is staffed by certified genetics counselors. If you are at higher risk because of your family history, we can provide guidance on how to manage your risk.
If you are concerned about how treatment might affect future plans to have a child, we also offer fertility counseling services.
Advanced Colorectal Cancer Treatments
Clinical Trials
New systemic treatments for colorectal cancer offer more options than ever before for patients with colon and rectal cancers. Speak with your doctor to learn if you may qualify for a colorectal cancer clinical trial.
Chemotherapy
Today’s chemotherapy drugs are more effective than ever. Most chemotherapy regimens have fewer side effects. If you have side effects, we have ways to help manage them.
The chemotherapy units throughout Lahey are designed to enhance your comfort and ease of treatment. Family members or friends may stay with you during chemotherapy. Many of our locations provide free television service and free WiFi.
Molecular-Targeted Therapies
Molecular-targeted cancer therapies are drugs or other substances that block the spread of cancer by interfering with specific molecules involved in tumor growth. It includes drugs that:
- Interfere with the signals needed for cell growth or the blood vessels that feed a tumor.
- Promote the death of specific cancer cells.
- Stimulate the immune system to destroy specific cancer cells.
- Deliver toxic drugs to cancer cells.
Targeted drugs can be used to address colorectal cancer cells with a certain genetic makeup. Because every colorectal cancer is unique, we will analyze the genetic makeup of your specific cancer to match you with the most effective targeted treatment for the best possible outcome.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer uses substances made either in the human body or in a lab to boost your immune system. The goal is to stimulate your body’s immune system to fight against your particular type of cancer.
Radiation Therapy
Lahey offers all types of colorectal cancer radiation therapy. It is mainly used for rectal cancer and is often used along with chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy includes procedures that can greatly reduce treatment time and side effects. We are skilled at adapting our services to treat you with the least amount of radiation needed.
Radiation therapy is offered at multiple sites throughout the Lahey health system, so you won’t have to travel far for your treatments.
Short-Course Radiation Therapy
We have the technology to offer short-course radiation therapy to treat certain types of rectal cancer. Short-course radiation is given over a period of five days (as opposed to the five-weeks standard of care). This may be an option to shrink your tumor before having it surgically removed.
Surgery
If you need surgery for colorectal cancer, the expert colon and rectal surgeons at Lahey offer state-of-the-art techniques.
Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery
Surgery for colorectal cancer involves removing the diseased tissue in a procedure called a resection. At Lahey, we offer resections performed with minimally invasive techniques. This can mean a quicker recovery for you with less pain.
Our surgeons are also experienced in the latest organ-preserving techniques, such as sphincter-sparing procedures. Preserving the rectum and sphincter may allow for normal bowel function after surgery.
Robotic Surgery
In many cases, we can perform surgery for colorectal cancer with robotic techniques. This involves tiny incisions and greater precision. Our surgeons are among the leaders in the field of robotic surgery and laparoscopy. Our approaches include microsurgery procedures that avoid damaging healthy tissue as much as possible.
Many people worry that colorectal cancer means you’ll need a stoma or colostomy bag after surgery. Often, that isn’t true. Early detection and the expertise of Lahey surgeons greatly decrease your chances.
Survivorship Program
After surgery, we offer you cancer rehabilitation as well as a survivorship program with numerous services to help you. We’ll closely follow your recovery and provide advice on topics such as diet, activity level and quality of life.
Meet the Colorectal Cancer Team
At the Lahey, you will benefit from an expert colorectal cancer team with caring and experienced providers. Your care team may include patient navigators, certified oncology nurses, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, cancer surgeons, technicians, and technologists, all dedicated to your cancer treatment and well-being. Here we introduce you to the physician specialists on our colorectal cancer care team.
