The Colorectal Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai is dedicated to a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to preventing, screening, diagnosing and treating colon and rectal cancer.

As part of its own going commitment to quality patient care, the Colorectal Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai measures and reports on key quality measures. In the area of colorectal surgery this includes, the number of surgeries done, the type of surgeries done (minimally invasive or traditional), whether or not a colostomy was needed, the length of stay in the hospital and survival rates.

Timely and accurate diagnosis of colon or rectal cancer is key to getting the most effective treatment.

At the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Program, diagnoses are made using advanced imaging technologies as well as the more traditional colonoscopies or barium enemas. These new diagnostic technologies include:

• Computed tomography scans. Thee are special X-rays of cross-sections of the body. They are analyzed by computer. For people who have colon cancer, CT scans can help evaluate whether the cancer has involved other organs such as the liver.
• Transrectal ultrasound. This 15-minute, outpatient procedure is used to get more information about rectal tumors. It uses high-frequency sound waves to create a picture of the rectum and anything present in it.
• Positron Emission Tomography. PET scans use small doses of chemicals (radionuclides) attached to a sugar. The radionuclides emit positrons, which are picked up and used to create an image. The image shows metabolic activity in cells. Because cancer cells grow faster than normal tissue and use more sugar, they appear as a higher number on the scan. PET scans are used to check for the spread of cancer or the effectiveness of treatment.
• Virtual colonoscopy. In this procedure, air is blown into the colon through a small tube placed in the rectum. CT scan-like pictures are taken.

Advanced technology imaging allows doctors at the Colorectal Cancer Program to accurately stage colorectal cancer. Knowing how advanced colon or rectal cancer is allows for the most appropriate treatment.

Under the leadership of Katherine Facklis, MD, and Beth Moore, MD, Co-Directors of the Colorectal Cancer Program, The Colorectal Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai bring together a team of specialists including gastroenterologists, surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, hematologists, pathologists and geneticists to treat each patient.

The program's specialists are recognized leaders in performing minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery for colorectal patients. While not appropriate for all people with colorectal cancer, this type of surgery means less pain after surgery, faster return of bowel function, quicker healing, less scarring and fewer days in the hospital to recover.

In addition, Cedars-Sinai provides genetic risk assessment to determine whether a person has inherited a likelihood of developing colon or rectal cancer, nutritional counseling and patient education should a colostomy be needed. Patients also have access to the world-class experts and specially designed, healing environment of the Outpatient Cancer Center for chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Almost all radiation and chemotherapy can be done on an outpatient basis at the center.

The Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program works to improve the lives of patients and their loved ones by providing at-home help, childcare, transportation, access to support groups and patient care services offered within Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The program also under writes colon cancer education for healthcare providers.

The long-term goal of the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program is to establish an ever-widening array of screening and educational opportunities.