Colorectal Cancer

If your doctor suspects you may have colorectal cancer or you already have a diagnosis, trust the experts at Billings Clinic for compassionate, specialized care and treatment.

What’s Colorectal Cancer?

When clumps of cells called polyps grow in the colon (large intestine) lining or the rectum, they can become cancerous over time. Changes in your genes, family history, aging, lifestyle, and health conditions can cause colorectal cancer.

Regular colorectal cancer screenings can detect polyps early and prevent them from becoming cancerous.

Colorectal Cancer Signs & Symptoms

You may experience slightly different symptoms depending on where the cancerous cells are. Explore the symptoms of colon cancer and rectal cancer.

Diagnosing Your Cancer

If you have symptoms, you can rely on our team to perform tests to rule out or identify colorectal cancer.

Advanced rectal endoscopic ultrasound is an imaging (radiology) test that allows your doctor to check how far rectal cancer has spread. It shows the cancer’s depth and if the cells reach nearby lymph nodes. This information helps doctors decide on the stage of your cancer and radiation, surgery, or chemotherapy treatments.

Colorectal Cancer Care Team

Your oncology (cancer) care team at Billings Clinic will include multiple doctors and medical professionals who will give you the top-notch care you deserve. Your team may have:

• Medical oncologists
• Radiation oncologists
• Surgical oncologists
• Gastroenterologists
• Nurses
• Radiologists
• Patient care navigators
• Dietitians
• Genetic counselors

Feel confident your team will collaborate on your care and treatment planning. You’ll get clear, understandable information about your diagnosis, treatment, and possible outcomes.

Your Colorectal Cancer Care Steps

You, your Billings Clinic doctor, or an outside medical provider can refer you to the Billings Clinic Cancer Center. When you choose us for care, you can count on a guided start to your treatment and expect:

• A patient care navigator to accompany you and coordinate your lab, imaging, and doctor appointments.
• An initial treatment plan and a thorough diagnosis review by our colorectal cancer specialty team to ensure you’re getting the best possible treatments
• Clear, understandable information from your cancer doctor about your customized treatment recommendations and answers to your questions or concerns to help you make decisions
• Your patient care navigator will schedule your treatments

Clinical Trials

Learn about how to participate in Billings Clinic’s colorectal cancer clinical trials.