Side makes a difference: left vs. right

Understanding the physical structure of the colon and rectum can help you better understand your cancer diagnosis.

The colon and rectum are part of the large intestine (also called the small bowel), which is located at the end of the digestive system. The large intestine is a six-foot-long muscular tube that helps digest food and eliminate waste from the body. 

The two sides

The right side of the colon includes the:

• cecum
• ascending colon
• hepatic flexure

The left side includes the: 

• splenic flexure
• descending colon
• sigmoid colon
• rectum

The colon is divided into four sections

• The first section is the ascending colon. It extends from the small intestine to a pouch called the cecum. The ascending colon travels up the right side of the abdomen.
• The transverse colon is the second section, and it continues across the abdomen from the right side to the left side.
• The third section is the descending colon, which extends down the left side of the abdomen.
• The fourth section is the sigmoid colon. It is the last portion of the colon, and it connects to the rectum and anus.

Significance of tumor location

Research suggests that there are biological differences between left-sided and right-sided colon cancers. This includes the biomarkers that are present on each side and the aggressiveness of the cancer. Patients with left-sided tumors typically have a better prognosis than those with right-sided tumors.

Make sure you know your biomarkers and where your tumor is located so that you and your doctor can choose the best treatment.

Right-side colorectal cancer characteristics

Colorectal cancer that starts on the right side (Cecum, Ascending Colon, Right Half of Transverse Colon, Hepatic Flexure)

• is seen more often in women and people over 65
• is diagnosed more frequently in African Americans
• often begins with flat, sessile polyps that go unnoticed until they are fairly large
• is usually diagnosed at a later stage
• often presents with symptoms such as anemia and bleeding
• is associated with Lynch syndrome
• has a higher occurrence of mucinous tumors, BRAF-mt or KRAS-mt mutations, MSI-H
• responds well to immunotherapy

Left-side colorectal cancer characteristics

Colorectal cancer that begins on the left side (Splenic Flexure, Descending and Sigmoid Colon, Left Half of Transverse Colon, Rectosigmoid and Rectum)

• occurs more often than right-sided colorectal cancers
• is seen more often in men and in people under 65
• has tumors that grow along the wall of the colon
• often presents with constipation, narrow stools, and other bowel habit changes
• causes bowel obstructions more often than right-sided colorectal cancer
• is usually diagnosed in its early stages
• is associated with FAP (familial adenomatous polyposis)
• has a higher occurrence of HER2 amplifications
• overall better prognosis than right-sided tumors
• responds better to standard chemotherapy and targeted therapies