What's The Difference Between Colon And Colorectal Cancer?

On November 3, 2024, actor James Van Der Beek announced that he had recently been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. "I've been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family," the actor shared in a statement (via Today). In a subsequent Instagram post, Van Der Beek expressed his intent to leverage his personal medical journey to raise awareness about the disease. 

Though colorectal cancer may just sound like another name for colon cancer, the two terms aren't interchangeable. Simply put, colorectal cancer is the umbrella term for both colon and rectal cancers. As the name suggests, colon cancer only occurs in the colon; however, if left untreated, colon cancer can spread to different organ systems in the body. Understanding the specifics of colon cancer can help you identify any unusual symptoms and promptly consult a healthcare provider or oncologist.

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer begins inside the rectal tissues or the colon walls. Typically, colorectal cancer presents itself in the earliest stages as small masses known as polyps. This doesn't mean that all polyps inside the colon or rectum are cancerous; many tend to be benign. But if a polyp becomes cancerous, it can begin to spread cancer from the inner part of the colon to the lymph nodes or bloodstream. Once this happens, the cancer can quickly move throughout the system. Several important warning signs of colorectal cancer include lower stomach discomfort, losing weight, bloody stools, constipation, and loose stools (per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

While both colon and rectal cancers fall under colorectal cancer, the latter begins when cancerous cells emerge in the rectum. This distinction matters because the preferred therapies for each type of cancer can be different. 

Raising awareness about colorectal cancer is important, as many patients with the disease don't even know that they have it in the first place. Consequently, getting regular screening tests (such as stool tests and colonoscopies) can provide early cancer detection, which can prevent the cancer from spreading. And if you or someone you know is diagnosed with either colorectal cancer or colon cancer specifically, the treatment plan will reflect the exact kind of cancer based on its location and proximity to other body parts.

To stop the spread of either colon cancer or rectal cancer, surgery may be recommended, with accompanying chemotherapy depending on the stage of the disease (per the National Cancer Institute). With that said, radiation therapy is more commonly recommended for rectal cancer (to reduce the size of the tumor and make it easier to operate on) than colon cancer. Lastly, while chemotherapy can be appropriate for colorectal and colon cancers, the prescribed medications may differ. Ultimately, it is imperative to seek medical attention the moment you detect any symptoms.