Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

  • Overview
  • Appointments
  • Types
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnostics
  • Treatment
  • Locations
  • Doctors
  • Providers

    • What is colorectal cancer?

    Colorectal cancer happens when abnormal cells grow in your colon or rectum. These cells often form in growths called polyps. Not all polyps become cancer. Colorectal cancer is also called colon or rectal cancer, depending on where it's located. Your risk for colorectal cancer gets higher as you get older.

    Appointment Information

    The specialists at U-M Rogel Cancer Center work together to treat all types of colorectal cancer in our multidisciplinary clinics. Our specialist team offers access to expert diagnoses and the most advanced treatments for colorectal cancers. The multidisciplinary approach at Rogel Cancer Center ensures you benefit from our team’s years of training, skill and experience.

    If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, or suspect you have it, please call 734-647-8902 to make an appointment. If you have questions, please contact our Cancer AnswerLine at 800-865-1125.

    Healthcare professionals looking to refer a patient to our program, please call our M-Line at 800-962-3555.

    What are the types of colorectal cancer?
    • Anal cancer: The anus is the small flexible opening at the end of your GI tract. Our experts offer advanced treatment options for growths in the soft tissues of the anus. 
    • Colon cancer: When cells in the colon grow in ways that aren’t typical, polyps can occur. Our specialists routinely identify (and remove) polyps during colon cancer screening with colonoscopy. 
    • Rectal cancer: The rectum is the last part of your colon. Rectal cancer often requires a combination of medical and surgical treatments. Our surgeons, radiologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists work together to determine the best treatment for your needs. 

    What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?

    Colorectal cancer in its early stages usually doesn't cause any symptoms. Symptoms occur later, when the cancer may be harder to treat. The most common symptoms include:

    • Blood in your stool or very dark stools.
    • A change in your bowel habits. (You may have more frequent bowel movements or a feeling that your bowels aren't emptying completely.)
    • Low energy (fatigue).
    • Pain in the belly or rectal pain.

    How is colorectal cancer diagnosed?

    Determining tumor location and extent is critical to developing the best treatment plan. When appropriate, our expert radiologists use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to provide detailed views of the colon, rectum and anus to inform treatment options.

    How is colorectal cancer treated?

    Treatment for colorectal cancer is based on the stage and location of the cancer. It's also based on other things, such as your overall health. The main treatments are:

    • Surgery. In most cases, the doctor removes part of the colon or rectum and sews the healthy ends back together. Sometimes a small area of cancer can be removed during a colonoscopy.
    • Chemotherapy. These medicines kill fast-growing cells, including cancer cells and some normal cells. They may be given after surgery to help destroy any cancer cells that remain.
    • Radiation therapy. This uses high-dose X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. It may be combined with surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation may be given together. (This is called chemoradiation.)

    In some cases, targeted therapy or immunotherapy may be an option. A clinical trial may also be an option.

    Your doctor will talk with you about your options and then make a treatment plan.
    Christie Byrne and Kim Zapor Cancer AnswerLine nurses

    Questions about cancer?

    Contact our Cancer AnswerLine™ at 800-865-1125. You'll talk to a nurse with years of experience in cancer care.

    Learn More

    Locations
    • Multidisciplinary Colorectal Cancer Clinic | Rogel Cancer Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
      Level B1 Reception E
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5912       Get Directions
    • Oncology Clinic | Brighton Center for Specialty Care 7500 Challis Rd
      Entrance1, Level 1
      Brighton, MI 48116-9416       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor

    Filip Bednar, MD, PhD

    Associate Professor

    Surgical Oncology, Surgery

    John Charles Byrn, MD

    John Charles Byrn, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Colon & Rectal Surgery, Surgery

    Michigan Photo

    OXANA V Crysler, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Medical Oncology, Internal Medicine

    Kyle Clifford Cuneo, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Radiation Oncology

    Donnele Daley, MD

    Donnele Daley, MD

    Assistant Professor

    Surgical Oncology, Surgery

    Joseph Robert Evans, MD

    Joseph Robert Evans, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Radiation Oncology

    Calista Marie Harbaugh, MD

    Calista Marie Harbaugh, MD

    Assistant Professor

    Colon & Rectal Surgery, Surgery

    John Christopher Krauss, MD

    John Christopher Krauss, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Medical Oncology, Hematology, Internal Medicine

    Gifty Kwakye, MD

    Gifty Kwakye, MD, MPH

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Colon & Rectal Surgery, Surgery

    Michael F McGee, MD

    Michael F McGee, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Colon & Rectal Surgery, Surgery

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    Providers

     Search for a U-M Health provider     labcoat

    Pamela Christine Fisher, PA-C

    Physician Assistant

    Physician Assistant

    labcoat

    Ashleigh Nora Gamalski, PA-C

    Physician Assistant

    Physician Assistant

    News & Stories
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    Health Lab

    Study explains how colorectal cancer cells maintain high iron levels

    How colorectal cancer cells maintain high iron levels, according to Michigan Medicine research.
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    Health Lab

    Thriving after a rectal cancer diagnosis

    Kyle Kipke was diagnosed with rectal cancer and received chemotherapy and radiation as treatment at Michigan Medicine.
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    Health Lab

    Doctors perform first liver transplant in Michigan for colon cancer

    Andrew Sweeney was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer at age 31 and underwent a liver transplant, chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
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    Cancer Aware

    Cutting edge treatment for advanced colon cancer

    Andrew Sweeney, now 35, was aware of his risk for colorectal cancer – his mother had had been diagnosed with it when she was 41. When he was 31, a CT scan at University of Michigan Health’s University Hospital revealed that Sweeney had a mass in his colon and potential metastases in his liver and lymph nodes. A colonoscopy confirmed that he had stage 4 colorectal cancer. After 1.5 years of chemotherapy, his care team began discussing how they could remove the damaged parts of Sweeney’s liver. They developed a colorectal cancer liver transplant protocol from a deceased donor and Sweeney was the first patient to undergo a liver transplant in Michigan for colon cancer. After minor recurrences of tumors in his lung in 2024, which were treated by surgery and radiation, his scans have been clear.
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    Health Lab

    Colorectal cancer is no longer just a disease of older adults

    With colorectal (CRC) on the rise in younger patients, a specialist in gastroenterology and human genetics discusses why that may be and what to look for.
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    Health Lab

    Glucose drives STAT3 activation in colorectal cancer cells, leading to tumor growth

    University of Michigan researchers have shown that glucose levels sustain the increased STAT3 activation in colorectal cancer cells. Their findings suggest that targeting glucose metabolism could inhibit STAT3, leading to novel therapeutic strategies.