Colorectal Cancer | Overview

What is colorectal cancer?

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (called the colon). Rectal cancer is cancer of the rectum (which is the part of the large intestine closest to the anus). These forms of cancer have many common features. They are often referred to together as colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Many of these deaths happen when the cancers are found too late to be effectively treated. If colorectal cancer is found early enough, it is usually very treatable and not life threatening.