Bowel Cancer Glossary: Common Terms Explained

Bowel cancer information can include many medical words that may feel confusing at first. This glossary explains common terms used when talking about bowel cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, tests, treatment and recovery.

This article is for general information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor, nurse, specialist or other qualified healthcare professional. If you have symptoms or questions about your own health, speak with your medical team.

What Is Bowel Cancer?

Bowel cancer is also called colorectal cancer. It can start in the colon or rectum, which are parts of the large bowel. Some bowel cancers may begin from small growths called polyps. Screening and medical tests can sometimes find polyps or cancer at an earlier stage.

For a basic overview, you may also read our Key Points About Diagnosing Bowel Cancer article.

Common Medical Terms

Colon: The main part of the large bowel. It helps absorb water from digested food and form stool.

Rectum: The final section of the large bowel before the anus.

Anus: The opening where stool leaves the body.

Polyp: A small growth inside the bowel. Some polyps can become cancer over time, but not all polyps are cancerous.

Biopsy: A small tissue sample taken and examined under a microscope to help diagnose disease.

Colonoscopy: A test that uses a flexible camera to look inside the large bowel. It can help find polyps, bleeding, inflammation or cancer.

Treatment Terms

Surgery: An operation that may remove part of the bowel affected by cancer. The type of surgery depends on the location and stage of the cancer.

Chemotherapy: Medicines used to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. Chemotherapy may be used before or after surgery, or when cancer has spread.

Radiation therapy: Treatment that uses radiation to damage cancer cells. It is used more often for rectal cancer than colon cancer, depending on the case.

Targeted therapy: Medicine designed to target specific features of cancer cells. It is usually used only in certain situations.

You can learn more in our Treatment for Early Bowel Cancer and Treatment for Advanced Bowel Cancer articles.

Stoma Terms

Stoma: A surgically created opening in the abdomen that allows waste to leave the body into a bag.

Colostomy: A stoma made from the colon.

Ileostomy: A stoma made from the small bowel.

Stoma bag: A bag worn over the stoma to collect waste.

For more information, read our Having a Stoma and Living With a Stoma guides.

Diagnosis and Follow-Up Terms

Screening: Testing for cancer before symptoms appear. Screening can help find bowel cancer earlier.

Staging: The process of finding out how far cancer has spread.

Prognosis: The expected course or outlook of a disease. A doctor can discuss prognosis based on the cancer type, stage and overall health.

Follow-up appointment: A medical visit after treatment to monitor recovery, side effects or signs that cancer has returned.

Final Thoughts

Understanding bowel cancer terms can make conversations with your healthcare team easier. If a word is unclear, ask your doctor or nurse to explain it in simple language.

For more helpful reading, visit our Question Checklist and Making Treatment Decisions articles.