Rectal Cancer

Overview

4.7 out of 5 (24 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Post Assessment Questions

7

Start Date

1 Jan 2021

Last Review Date

4 Jul 2023

Expiration Date

31 Dec 2023

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


 
Need Help?  If you have a system or content concerns, please contact support@statpearls.com

Activity Description

Colon and rectal cancers together are the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States and the second deadliest. Rectal cancer has distinct environmental associations and genetic risk factors different from colon cancer. The incidence of new cases and mortality of rectal cancer has been steadily declining for the past years, although noticed to rise in recent years on younger adults (less than 50 years). The transformation of the normal rectal epithelium to a dysplastic lesion and eventually an invasive carcinoma requires an accumulation of genetic mutations either somatic (acquired) and/or germline (inherited) over an approximately 10 to 15 years period. Tumor regression grade after pre-operative therapy and pathological staging are the most important prognostic indicators of rectal cancer. All newly diagnosed patients with rectal cancer should be universally screened for DNA mismatch repair/microsatellite status present in up to 13% of all sporadic rectal cancer cases. A careful history and physical examination, including a digital rectal exam, are paramount on clinical suspicion. An endoscopy examination with rigid sigmoidoscopy is required to measure the distance from the lesion to the anal verge (less than 15 cm) and for tissue biopsy for pathological confirmation of rectal cancer. This activity reviews the cause, pathophysiology, presentation, and diagnosis of rectal cancer and highlights the interprofessional team's role in its management.

Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the etiology of rectal cancer.
  • Review the workup of rectal cancer.
  • Outline the treatment and management options available for rectal cancer.
  • Explain the interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and improve outcomes in patients with rectal cancer.

Disclosures

The Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest they or their immediate family may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by CUSOM for resolution, to ensure fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations.

CUSOM will identify, review, and resolve all conflicts of interest that faculty, authors, activity directors, planners, managers, peer reviewers, or relevant staff disclose prior to an educational activity being delivered to learners. Disclosure of a relationship is not intended to suggest or condone bias in any presentation but is made to provide participants with information that might be of potential importance to their evaluation of a presentation. Disclosure information for authors, editors, planners, peer reviewers, and/or relevant staff is provided with this activity.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

 

 

The Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. CUSOM designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.50 AOA Category 1 B Credits and will report CME credits commensurate with the extent of the physician's participation in the activity.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received in writing and a money back guarantee is provided if not completely satisfied.

  • StatPearls and CUSOM reserve the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances. StatPearls and CUSOM will not be responsible for other expenses incurred by the participant in the unlikely event that the program is canceled.

Equal Opportunity

  • StatPearls and CUSOM are Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action / Equal Access Institutions. 

Medium or Media Used:

  • Computer Requirements:  Internet Access
  • E-mail Address

Instructions for Credit

  1. Register for the activity and create a StatPearls login.     
  2. Review the required accreditation information:  Target audience, learning objectives and disclosure information.
  3. Complete the entire self-study activity.
  4. Complete the post-test assessments.
  5. Successfully pass the post-test with a minimum score of 100%.
  6. Complete the evaluation form.
  7. Obtain a certificate.

StatPearls and CUSOM adheres to AOA Standards regarding commercial support of continuing medical education. It is the policy of StatPearls and Campbell that the faculty and planning committee disclose real or apparent conflicts of interest relating to the topics of this educational activity, that relevant conflict(s) of interest are resolved and also that authors and editors will disclose any unlabeled/unapproved use of drug(s) or device(s) during their presentation. Detailed disclosure will be made prior to starting the activity.

The information provided at this CME/CE activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition.

This course is intended for osteopathic physicians who wish to earn AOA CME credit. Take this version of the course to ensure you receive appropriate credit.

 

 
 

Reviews

bradley k. on 9/29/2021

dawn b. on 1/10/2022

priya n. on 3/6/2022

Goran Gailani O. on 4/1/2022

Dottie L. on 6/29/2022

david h. on 11/24/2022

Aseeb R. on 4/17/2023

Michael B. on 6/3/2023

Matthew C. on 7/6/2023

Malcolm B. on 7/8/2023

Christine Y. on 7/18/2023

The questions were poorly written and did not offer adequate information. For example, the rectal polyp at 12 cm said nothing about polyp size, character of the polyp (sessile or not) and margin status of the colonoscopic resection. Also, an MRI of the pelvis would be indicated to rule out nodal disease, but this was not done. Observation only may not be appropriate.

Alan Y. on 9/23/2023

raoul m. on 10/8/2023

AMANDA M. on 12/19/2023

Arnbjorn T. on 11/20/2023

Julie D. on 12/19/2023

Richard S. on 12/21/2023

Marina S. on 12/26/2023

Aram H. on 12/26/2023

Christopher K. on 12/27/2023

Mary H. on 12/30/2023

Zhengyi C. on 1/21/2024

Chaitanya P. on 2/28/2024

Fariborz M. on 3/7/2024

Unlimited Physician CME

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6673 CME activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7923.5 hours of CME.

Learn About Lifetime CME

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$39 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$399 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$599 per 1 year per user