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“Our philosophy is to care for patients while sparing them any pointless and difficult treatments.


  

Dr Alain Hendlisz,
Coordinator of the Digestive Tumour CMO, Institut Bordet

How we treat cancers of the colon or rectum

Colorectal cancers are among the most common forms of cancer. Significant advances have been made in improving the way they are treated. Treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach.

To confirm and refine diagnosis, the patient undergoes various examinations:

  • a colonoscopy during which one or more samples (biopsies) of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract are taken. The tissue “sample” is then sent to the laboratory for analysis;
  • medical imaging examinations (radiography, CT scan or MRI) are carried out to discover the extent of the tumour and identify any possible metastases;
  • for rectal cancers, an endoscopy and an MRI of the pelvis are also carried out to establish if the neighbouring organs (bladder, ovaries, prostate, etc) have been affected by cancer.