Colorectal cancer is treated by a team of specialists who collaborate to create the best care plan. Key doctors include: 

• Colorectal surgeons: These specialists perform surgeries to remove cancerous tissues from the colon or rectum. They also handle complications or follow-up surgeries if needed. 

• Medical oncologists: These doctors use treatments like chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy to manage cancer, especially if it has spread. 

• Radiation oncologists: They use radiation therapy to shrink tumors or destroy cancer cells. Radiation is often used for rectal cancer. 

• Gastroenterologists: These doctors focus on diagnosing and treating digestive system disorders. While they perform colonoscopies to detect cancer, they do not treat it. 

A colorectal doctor typically refers to a colorectal surgeon, while a gastroenterologist focuses on diagnosing and managing digestive disorders. 

Colorectal cancer can cause different symptoms that vary from person to person. Common symptoms include: 

• Persistent changes in bowel habits, like diarrhea, constipation, or stools that are narrower than usual 

• Blood in the stool, which may appear bright red or dark 

• Abdominal pain, cramping, or discomfort that doesn’t go away 

• A feeling that the bowel doesn’t empty completely after a bowel movement 

• Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite 

• Fatigue or weakness 

Blood in the stool or subtle changes in bowel habits may be early warning signs of colorectal cancer. However, most people do not notice their symptoms until the cancer has progressed. That’s why regular screenings, such as colonoscopies starting at age 45 or earlier for high-risk individuals, are important for early detection.  

Colorectal cancer diagnosis involves a combination of screening tools and diagnostic tests: 

• Colonoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted into the colon to check for abnormalities. If polyps or suspicious areas are found, a biopsy can be taken for testing. 

• Stool-based tests: These include fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical tests (FIT), which check for hidden blood, and stool DNA tests, which look for abnormal DNA changes. 

• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy): A less invasive imaging test that uses CT scans to create detailed pictures of the colon and rectum. 

• Blood tests: While blood work, such as a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test, can suggest cancer, it cannot confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests are often used to monitor the cancer’s progress or recurrence. 

Colorectal cancer can develop over many years without obvious symptoms. Some patients were misdiagnosed in the early stages of their cancer because their symptoms were similar to those of common health conditions, such as: 

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A disorder causing abdominal discomfort, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. 

• Hemorrhoids: Swollen blood vessels in the rectum or anus that can cause rectal bleeding. 

• Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of small pouches in the colon. 

• Infections: Intestinal infections can mimic symptoms like diarrhea or abdominal pain. 

The life expectancy for colorectal cancer depends on several factors, including the stage at diagnosis, overall health, and response to treatment.  

The survival rates based on cancer stages are: 

• Localized (early stage): If the cancer is confined to the colon or rectum, the 5-year survival rate is about 91%. Early detection offers the best chance for successful treatment. 

• Regional spread: When cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues, the 5-year survival rate drops to about 72%. 

• Distant spread (metastatic cancer): If the cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the liver or lungs, the 5-year survival rate is approximately 15%. 

These survival rates are averages, and outcomes will vary from person to person. Advances in treatment options, including targeted therapies and immunotherapy, continue to improve prognosis for many patients. 

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

• Your primary care provider recommends it. 

• Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 

• You need specialized testing or procedures. 

• You want a second opinion.  

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

You can find a Colorectal Cancer doctor in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Colorectal Cancer doctor near New York, NY
Colorectal Cancer doctor near Los Angeles, CA
Colorectal Cancer doctor near Chicago, IL
Colorectal Cancer doctor near Houston, TX
Colorectal Cancer doctor near Phoenix, AZ
Colorectal Cancer doctor near Philadelphia, PA
Colorectal Cancer doctor near Atlanta, GA
Colorectal Cancer doctor near Boston, MA
Colorectal Cancer doctor near Dallas, TX
Colorectal Cancer doctor near San Jose, CA

MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Colorectal Cancer doctor search results page. 

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

• Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 

• Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 

• Family history of disease 

• List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 

• Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  

• List of questions and concerns 

• Your insurance card 

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

Here are some sample questions: 

• Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 

• What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 

• What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 

• Are there other specialists I need to see? 

• What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Colorectal Cancer doctor search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Colorectal Cancer doctor search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

Reviewed on: 11/11/24  

By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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