Colorectal cancer encompasses cancers of both the colon and rectum, typically originating from polyps—abnormal tissue growths within the colon or rectum lining. Although these polyps are generally benign, they can sometimes become cancerous over time. Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent cancer among both men and women, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment. If you're experiencing symptoms or have concerns about colorectal cancer, contact Dr. Albert Chung’s colorectal clinic in Orange County today at (714) 988-8690 for personalized care and expert guidance.
Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum, the final sections of the digestive tract. It's the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the United States. Most colorectal cancers start as small polyps on the inner lining of the colon or rectum and grow slowly over years, which is why regular screening works so well: most polyps can be found and removed before they ever turn cancerous.
Early colorectal cancer often has no symptoms at all, which is why screening is so important. When signs do appear, they typically include:
These symptoms overlap with many benign conditions, so they're not automatic cause for alarm. But they're worth checking out, especially when persistent.
According to the CDC, several factors raise your risk of developing colorectal cancer. About 5% of colorectal cancers are clearly hereditary, but understanding your personal risk profile helps determine the right screening schedule.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Chung will thoroughly review your medical history, symptoms, and risk factors. Diagnostic testing typically includes:
Surgery is often the primary treatment for colorectal cancer, with the specific approach depending on the stage, location, and size of the tumor. Depending on the case, treatment may also include chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy.
Dr. Chung specializes in robotic-assisted colon and rectal cancer surgery using the da Vinci system, which offers a level of precision and visualization that traditional approaches can't match. For detail on each surgical approach, see the dedicated pages below.
Recovery timelines vary based on the procedure and your overall health. Dr. Chung will provide detailed postoperative care instructions covering wound care, dietary recommendations, activity restrictions, and follow-up schedules. Regular follow-ups are essential to monitor recovery and watch for signs of recurrence.
Many patients return to light activities within a few weeks of minimally invasive surgery, and to full activity within 6 to 8 weeks depending on the procedure.
Staging describes how far a cancer has grown and spread, and it is what determines treatment. Dr. Chung walks every patient through their stage in plain language.
| Stage | What it means | Usual treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 0 | Abnormal cells confined to the inner lining (carcinoma in situ) | Polypectomy or local excision |
| Stage I | Cancer has grown into the wall of the colon or rectum but not through it, and not into lymph nodes | Surgical resection alone for most colon cancers; local excision for select small rectal cancers |
| Stage II | Cancer has grown through the wall, possibly into nearby tissue, without lymph node involvement | Surgery; chemotherapy for some higher-risk colon cancers; chemoradiation before surgery for most rectal cancers |
| Stage III | Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes | Surgery plus chemotherapy for colon cancer; chemoradiation, chemotherapy, and surgery for rectal cancer |
| Stage IV | Cancer has spread to distant organs, most often liver or lungs | Chemotherapy and targeted therapy; surgery for the primary tumor and sometimes for liver or lung metastases in selected patients |
Colorectal cancer is treated by a team, and the surgeon is usually the first specialist a patient meets after diagnosis. Dr. Chung completes the staging workup, presents complex cases to a multidisciplinary tumor board, and coordinates with medical oncologists for chemotherapy and radiation oncologists for rectal cancer. For patients who need chemoradiation before surgery, he stays involved throughout, re-images the tumor when treatment finishes, and times the operation for the best chance of a complete resection. Patients who have already been seen elsewhere are welcome for a second opinion on the surgical plan, and Dr. Chung reviews outside pathology and imaging before that visit.
Colorectal cancer in adults under 50 has been rising steadily for two decades, and it is now the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50 and the second in women under 50 in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Younger patients are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage because their symptoms, most often rectal bleeding and a change in bowel habits, are attributed to hemorrhoids or irritable bowel for months. That is why screening now begins at 45, and why persistent rectal bleeding at any age deserves an exam. See the rectal bleeding page and read how IBS and colon cancer symptoms differ.
Patients from across Orange County choose Dr. Chung for colorectal cancer surgery because they want a fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon performing the operation robotically, and because they want to be able to reach that surgeon directly during treatment.
Dr. Chung sees patients at 30212 Tomas, Suite 365, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, off the 241 toll road in South Orange County. Patients come from Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Ladera Ranch, Trabuco Canyon, Santa Ana, and across Orange County. Most new patients are seen within days, and a first visit usually includes the exam, a plain-language explanation, and a treatment plan the same day.
Not ready for an in-person visit? Dr. Chung also offers online video consultations. Read what patients say on the reviews page.
Everyone at average risk should begin at age 45. Begin earlier if a first-degree relative has had colorectal cancer or advanced polyps, if you have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis involving the colon, or if a genetic syndrome such as Lynch syndrome runs in your family. Symptoms such as rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habits, or unexplained anemia call for evaluation at any age.
It depends on the stage and location. Stage I colon cancer is usually treated with surgery alone. Stage III colon cancer and some stage II cancers are treated with chemotherapy after surgery. Most rectal cancers beyond stage I receive chemoradiation before surgery rather than after. Dr. Chung coordinates this with medical and radiation oncology.
Most patients leave the hospital in two to four days, are off prescription pain medication within a week, return to desk work in two to three weeks, and are back to full activity in four to six weeks. Robotic and laparoscopic surgery shorten each of those milestones compared with open surgery.
Most patients do not. Colon cancer surgery almost always reconnects the bowel. Rectal cancer surgery reconnects the bowel in most cases too, sometimes with a temporary ileostomy for a few months while the connection heals. A permanent colostomy is needed only when a tumor sits so low that the sphincter cannot be preserved, and robotic techniques have made that less common.
About 91 percent of patients whose cancer is found before it has spread beyond the bowel wall are alive five years later. For cancer that has reached nearby lymph nodes, five-year survival is roughly 70 to 75 percent. These figures are why screening and prompt evaluation of symptoms matter so much.
Yes, and Dr. Chung encourages it for any cancer diagnosis. Send prior pathology, colonoscopy, and imaging reports ahead of your visit and he reviews them before you arrive. Second-opinion consultations are available in person and by video.
Whether you're due for screening, working through a new diagnosis, or seeking a second opinion on your treatment plan, Dr. Chung can help you understand your options and choose the right path.
Book a consultation Call (714) 988-8690Routine colorectal cancer screenings are recommended for individuals aged 45 and older or those with specific risk factors like family history. Discuss your screening schedule with Dr. Chung.
Depending on your specific case, additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy might be recommended after surgery to fully address any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery typically experience shorter recovery times, often resuming normal activities within weeks. Dr. Chung will outline your personalized recovery plan.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment greatly improve colorectal cancer outcomes. Call Dr. Albert Chung’s colorectal clinic in Orange County.
