Queens Resident's Rectal Bleeding Leads to Early Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Innovative Treatment

Roberto Pineda Sanchez, a Queens resident, experienced persistent rectal bleeding before his wedding. His proactive consultation with a doctor led to a crucial diagnosis and successful treatment for early-stage colorectal cancer.

A Concerning Symptom and Prompt Action

Pineda Sanchez's doctor initially suggested the symptom might be due to a hemorrhoid or fissure. However, the doctor wisely recommended a colonoscopy for confirmation, a procedure Pineda Sanchez agreed to undergo.

Diagnosis and Advanced Endoscopic Treatment

Gastroenterologist Sameer Dhalla, MD, performed the colonoscopy. During the procedure, several polyps were removed, and a concerning lesion was identified that could not be addressed with standard techniques.

Pineda Sanchez was referred to Nikhil Kumta, MD, director of endoscopy at NYU Langone's Tisch Hospital and Kimmel Pavilion. Dr. Kumta recommended endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

ESD is a minimally invasive technique that allows physicians to remove a lesion from the gastrointestinal tract wall in a single piece. This method enables pathologists to confirm the complete removal of the lesion, including its borders, which reduces the risk of recurrence.

For early-stage cancer, ESD can achieve a complete cure, potentially avoiding the need for major surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.

NYU Langone's Expertise in ESD

ESD requires specialized training and is primarily performed at high-volume centers. Pineda Sanchez's final pathology confirmed early-stage colorectal cancer, and the ESD procedure successfully removed the lesion without further invasive treatment.

NYU Langone is one of a limited number of U.S. centers capable of performing high-volume ESD, also providing training to physicians globally.

Pineda Sanchez is currently cancer-free and undergoes routine surveillance with his medical team.

Rising Colorectal Cancer Rates in Younger Adults

His case aligns with a concerning trend of increasing colorectal cancer diagnoses among younger adults.

A recent American Cancer Society study reported that it is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in individuals under 50.

Dr. Kumta noted that if Pineda Sanchez had delayed detection until the routine screening age of 45, his condition likely would have advanced, necessitating more intensive treatment.

Recognizing Symptoms and Screening Recommendations

Colorectal cancer screening is recommended at age 45 for average-risk adults and earlier for those with risk factors such as a strong family history or inflammatory bowel disease. For younger adults without high-risk factors, like Pineda Sanchez, diagnosis typically follows the onset of symptoms.

Symptoms that warrant immediate medical evaluation include rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits, narrow stools, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, and iron-deficiency anemia.

Pineda Sanchez strongly advised individuals to seek medical evaluation if they experience concerning symptoms.