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In order to understand colorectal cancer, it might first help to understand
what parts of the body are affected and how they work.
The colon
The colon is a 6-foot long muscular tube connecting the small intestine to
the rectum. The colon, which along with the rectum is called the large
intestine, is a highly specialized organ that is responsible for processing
waste so that emptying the bowels is easy and convenient. The colon removes
water from the stool, and stores the solid stool. Once or twice a day it empties
its contents into the rectum to begin the process of elimination.
The rectum
The rectum is an 8-inch chamber that connects the colon to the anus. It is
the rectum's job to receive stool from the colon, to let you know that there is
stool to be evacuated, and to hold the stool until evacuation happens.
What is colorectal cancer?
Cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer, and cancer that
begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Cancers affecting either of these
organs also may be called colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer occurs when some of the cells that line the colon or the
rectum become abnormal and grow out of control. The abnormal growing cells
create a tumor, which, in this case, is the cancer.
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