2026/10/16 10:48
Dr. Lu Tsung-ru from the Colorectal Surgery Department of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital explains the treatment methods for colorectal cancer. (Provided by Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital)
[Reporter Weng Yuhuang/New Taipei Report] The 73-year-old Mr. Chen usually has no obvious discomfort. When he was screened for colorectal cancer in the hospital at the beginning of 2025, the fecal occult blood test was positive. After further colonoscopy and pathological sections, he was diagnosed with stage three rectal cancer. Mr. Chen subsequently received radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. After completing the course of treatment, a colorectal surgeon performed a minimally invasive rectal resection. He is currently recovering well and continues to return to the hospital for follow-up. There has been no recurrence in the past two years.
Dr. Lu Zongru, a colorectal surgeon at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, pointed out that colorectal cancer can be mainly divided into rectal cancer, colon cancer and other intestinal cancers according to the location of tumor occurrence. Dr. Lu Zongru pointed out that about 70% to 80% of colorectal cancers develop from benign polyps, among which large intestine People with a family history of cancer have an approximately 10% to 20% increased risk compared to the general population. In recent years, with changes in life and eating habits, the number of patients has been increasing year by year. According to data released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2025, colorectal cancer has ranked second in the incidence of cancer in the country.
Please read on...
Vice President He Jingliang said that compared with other cancers, colorectal cancer is more likely to be detected early through screening. If it can be treated immediately at the stage of polyps or precancerous lesions, it will help to intervene before the disease progresses. And because colorectal cancer usually has no obvious symptoms in its early stages, many patients are diagnosed at a later stage. Therefore, early detection and early treatment are important keys to the prognosis of colorectal cancer. According to statistics, if early treatment is available, the five-year survival rate of colorectal cancer in the first stage can reach more than 90%, and the survival rate in the early stage of the second stage can also exceed 85%; but if it develops to the fourth stage, it drops to about 16%.
Fecal occult blood test is the main screening test for colorectal cancer. It is used to confirm whether there are red blood cells in the stool. If it is positive, the lesion needs to be observed through colonoscopy and pathological sections are taken. After the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will supplement it with imaging examinations such as computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or positron imaging to determine the scope, stage and whether of the tumor has metastasized, which will serve as the basis for subsequent treatment.
Common treatment methods include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The principle of surgery is to remove the tumor intestinal segment and surrounding lymph nodes. Depending on the condition, 3D image-assisted laparoscopy and Da Vinci robotic arm are used. These minimally invasive methods have the advantages of smaller wounds and faster postoperative recovery than traditional surgeries. Whether an artificial stoma is required after surgery depends on the individual condition.
Lu Zongru pointed out that regular fecal occult blood screening is an important way to detect lesions early, but positive occult blood does not mean a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Inflammation, hemorrhoids and other conditions may also cause a positive reaction. The true diagnosis rate is about 5% to 6%. People do not need to be overly nervous, but they still need to complete a colonoscopy to clarify the cause of bleeding.
The picture shows an MRI image. The black part in the red circle is a rectal cancer tumor. (Provided by Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital)
Colonoscopy shows tumors in the intestine. The picture shows a rectal cancer tumor. (Provided by Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital)
