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Colon & Rectal Center:
About Our Center and Expertise
Colon cancer-the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in the nation-claims
more lives than either breast or prostate cancer. According to
the American Cancer Society, nearly 105,000 men and women will
be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2005 in the United States, and
another 44,000 with rectum/anus/anal canal and anorectum cancer.
Approximately 3,000 Marylanders will be diagnosed this year with
colon and rectum cancer.
Men and women are almost equally affected. African Americans
and Hispanics are at higher risk and are more likely to be diagnosed
when the disease is at a more advanced stage. Fortunately, Mercy's
Colon and Rectal Center offers patients one of the first comprehensive,
multi-disciplinary programs in the region dedicated to fighting
colon and rectal disease-raising awareness and your level of comfort.
Colon and rectal surgeon Dr. Debra Vachon, M.D., F.A.C.S., leads
a team of fellow surgeons, oncologists, incontinence specialists
and gastroenterologists specializing in such issues as:
Call 410-783-5800 to be directed to the appropriate physician
within Mercy's Colon and Rectal Center located on the fourth floor
of Mercy's Tower Building at 301 St. Paul Place in downtown Baltimore.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is defined as
chronic or recurrent abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and
bloating, with the absence of structural or biochemical abnormalities
to explain these symptoms. IBS is part of a broader group of disorders
known as functional gastrointestinal disorders. It is the most
common gastrointestinal diagnosis among gastroenterology practices
in the United States and is one of the top 10 reasons for visits
to primary care physicians.
Rectal bleeding is a common anorectal disorder
and can be due to a number of causes, including hemorrhoids, rectal
fissue (a tear in the rectum lining caused by the passage of hard
stools), diverticulosis (diverticula are outpouchings that project
from the bowel wall which occur by decreased fiber in the diet),
infection (bacterial dysentery), inflammation, angiodysplasia
(a vascular problem that involves enlarged veins and capillaries
in the wall of the right colon which can become fragile and bleed),
tumors and polyps, trauma, and upper gastrointestinal issues (bleeding
from the upper gut).
Hemorrhoids is a condition in which the veins surrounding the
anus or lower rectum are swollen and inflamed. Hemorrhoids can
occur due to a number of reasons, including straining to move
stool, pregnancy, aging, chronic constipation or diarrhea, etc.
Colon/rectal cancer—the second leading
cause of cancer death in the United States -- claims more lives
than either breast or prostate cancer. Approximately 130,000 new
cases were diagnosed in 2000, nearly 3,000 in Maryland. Men and
women are almost equally affected. African Americans and Hispanics
are at higher risk and are more likely to be diagnosed when the
disease is at a more advanced stage. Cancer of the rectum is a
highly treatable and often curable disease when localized. Surgery
is the primary treatment and results in cure in nearly half of
all patients.
Colon and rectum cancers typically develop slowly over several
years. Most of these cancers begin as a polyp--a growth of tissue
into the center of the colon or rectum. A type of polyp known
as adenoma can become cancerous. Removing the polyp early may
prevent it from becoming cancer.
Over 95% of colon and rectal cancers are adenocarcinomas, cancers
of the cells lining the inside of the colon and rectum.
Fecal/stool incontinence is the inability to control the passage
of gas or stool (feces) through the anus. Also known as bowel
incontinence, it may occur at any age but is most common among
people over the age of 65.
Crohn’s Disease is a chronic disorder that causes inflammation
of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although it can
involve any area of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus, it
most commonly affects the small intestine and/or colon. Like ulcerative
colitis, Crohn’s Disease is a form of Inflammatory Bowel
Disease (IBD).
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic
inflammation of the large intestine (colon). The colon is the
part of the digestive system where waste material is stored. The
rectum is the end of the colon adjacent to the anus. In patients
with ulcerative colitis, ulcers and inflammation of the inner
lining of the colon lead to symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea,
and rectal bleeding. Ulcerative colitis is closely related to
another condition of inflammation of the intestines called Crohn's
disease. Together, they are frequently referred to as Inflammatory
Bowel Disease (IBD).
Now Accepting New Patients.
Most Insurances Accepted.
Please call for an appointment.
Phone: 410-783-5800
Tollfree: 1-800-MD-Mercy
(1-800-636-3729)
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