Colon & Rectal Cancer in Somerville | Steeplechase Cancer Center
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:23
Colon & Rectal Cancer in Somerville | Steeplechase Cancer Center
Colon & Rectal Cancer Program
Treatment & Care
Cancer
Cancer Types
Colon & Rectal Cancer Program
Colon & Rectal Cancer Program
The Colorectal Cancer Institute at The Steeplechase Cancer Center is dedicated
to providing the latest colorectal cancer prevention, detection and treatment services.
Prevention
While we do not know the exact cause of most colorectal cancer, there are
certain known risk factors.
Screening Recommendations
For men and women at average risk for cancer (those without a family history
of colon or rectal cancer), the most widely recommended and most effective
screening tool is colonoscopy, a painless procedure performed under deep sedation.
Early detection is key to fighting colon and rectal cancers. Screening
for colorectal cancer should begin at age 45.
Other screening options for those who can not have a colonscopy for medical
reasons include:
Yearly fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
Yearly stool blood test plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years (preferred)
Double contrast barium enema every 5 years
An endoscopic ultrasound also may be used. If any polyps are found they
should be removed if possible.
While a digital rectal exam (DRE) is often done as part of a regular physical
exam, it should not be used as a stand-alone test for colorectal cancer.
For a DRE, the doctor examines the patient’s rectum with a gloved finger.
People with certain risk factors should begin screening earlier or have
screening more often. Talk to your doctor about your own risk and when
you should have screening tests.
Treatment
If cancer is present, close collaboration among the patient, gastroenterologist,
surgeon, oncologist and radiation oncologist ensures the best possible
outcome. The four main options of treatment for colorectal cancer are
surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and newer, targeted therapies
called monoclonal antibodies. Depending on the stage of your cancer, two
or more types of treatment may be used.
Surgery is the main treatment for colon cancer. In a colorectal resection,
the cancer and a length of normal colon on either side of the cancer as
well as nearby lymph nodes are removed. The two ends of the colon are
then sewn back together. A colectomy may be performed to remove all or
part of the colon. Laparoscopic surgical options also are available.
Sometimes very early colon cancer can be removed through a colonoscope.
When this is done, the doctor does not have to cut into the abdomen. Surgery
for colon cancer can sometimes be done laparoscopically. In this method,
a lighted tube and special instruments are placed inside the body through
a few small incisions, rather than one large one.
Surgery is usually the main treatment for rectal cancer, too, although
radiation and chemotherapy often will be given before surgery.
The Steeplechase Cancer Center features a state-of-the-art Varian iX linear
accelerator. This equipment uses the latest in computer technology to
track and deliver high-energy X-rays to a patient’s tumor with pinpoint
accuracy. These X-rays can destroy the cancer cells while sparing the
surrounding normal tissue. The Radiation Oncology Department also is equipped
with modern treatment planning software, which enables physicians and
staff to generate a specialized plan to target the tumor.
Multidisciplinary Team Approach
Each patient’s treatment is guided by a care team of gastroenterologists,
medical oncologists, oncologic surgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists,
primary care physicians, pathologists, medical physicists, radiation therapists,
highly skilled certified oncology nurses, social workers, case managers,
nutritionists, pharmacists and pastoral care staff. A multidisciplinary
team continually reviews and updates our treatment protocols, ensuring
we are providing the most advanced care to improve the quality of life
for our patients.
Our Quality
Testimonials
Appointments
Colorectal Cancer
Our gastrointestinal system plays an important role in our body, helping
to absorb nutrients from our food and remove the waste. In the United
States, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related
deaths in men and in women, and the second most common cause of cancer
deaths when numbers for men and women are combined. It's expected to cause
about 52,580 deaths during 2022. Learn more about some of the signs and
symptoms of colorectal cancer, how to reduce your risk, the importance
of early detection, and available treatment options from
Dr. Brendan Scully
, a board-certified Colon and Rectal Surgeon with RWJBarnabas Health Medical
Group who sees patients at the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Robert Wood
Johnson University Hospital Somerset and Robert Wood Johnson University
Hospital in New Brunswick.
EBC Radio Interview About Colon Cancer
Listen as
Ehsan Patel, MD,
speaks with EBC Radio about gastrointestinal and colon cancer screening.
Listen to EBC Radio interview
The care was incredible. They all encouraged me and made me feel like I was their most important patient. They kept telling me, ‘We’re going to get through this,
Steve
Read More
“I was beyond stressed – it’s hard to explain unless you go through it,” says Jean, age 63. “But that recommendation was the best one I’ve ever received in my life.”
Jean
Read More
“The good news is that everything worked out pretty much how I told them it would.”
Erin
Read More
View All Cancer Stories
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
View All Posts
Feb 2, 2026
Cancer Prevention and Screening Matter
Nov 7, 2025
Landmark Data from Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health Show Long-term Complete Responses of T Cell Therapies for HPV-Related Cancers
Oct 21, 2025
RWJUH Somerset Holds Breast Cancer Awareness Symposium on Oct. 28
View All Events
Make Time for Mammography: It’s A Pink Party! - RWJUH Somerset
Apr 24, 2026
Skin Cancer Screening - RWJUH Somerset
May 2, 2026
Healthy Eating for Survivorship - RWJUH Somerset
Jun 25, 2026
menu
View Doctors
RWJ University Hospital Somerset
110 Rehill Avenue
Somerville
,
NJ
08876
USA
(908) 685-2200
Get Directions
Hours
Monday-Saturday 8:00am-9:00pm
Sunday CLOSED
(908) 685-2200
Not finding the treatment you're looking for?
View All Services
Colon & Rectal Cancer Program
Treatment & Care
Cancer
Cancer Types
Colon & Rectal Cancer Program
Colon & Rectal Cancer Program
The Colorectal Cancer Institute at The Steeplechase Cancer Center is dedicated
to providing the latest colorectal cancer prevention, detection and treatment services.
Prevention
While we do not know the exact cause of most colorectal cancer, there are
certain known risk factors.
Screening Recommendations
For men and women at average risk for cancer (those without a family history
of colon or rectal cancer), the most widely recommended and most effective
screening tool is colonoscopy, a painless procedure performed under deep sedation.
Early detection is key to fighting colon and rectal cancers. Screening
for colorectal cancer should begin at age 45.
Other screening options for those who can not have a colonscopy for medical
reasons include:
Yearly fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
Yearly stool blood test plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years (preferred)
Double contrast barium enema every 5 years
An endoscopic ultrasound also may be used. If any polyps are found they
should be removed if possible.
While a digital rectal exam (DRE) is often done as part of a regular physical
exam, it should not be used as a stand-alone test for colorectal cancer.
For a DRE, the doctor examines the patient’s rectum with a gloved finger.
People with certain risk factors should begin screening earlier or have
screening more often. Talk to your doctor about your own risk and when
you should have screening tests.
Treatment
If cancer is present, close collaboration among the patient, gastroenterologist,
surgeon, oncologist and radiation oncologist ensures the best possible
outcome. The four main options of treatment for colorectal cancer are
surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and newer, targeted therapies
called monoclonal antibodies. Depending on the stage of your cancer, two
or more types of treatment may be used.
Surgery is the main treatment for colon cancer. In a colorectal resection,
the cancer and a length of normal colon on either side of the cancer as
well as nearby lymph nodes are removed. The two ends of the colon are
then sewn back together. A colectomy may be performed to remove all or
part of the colon. Laparoscopic surgical options also are available.
Sometimes very early colon cancer can be removed through a colonoscope.
When this is done, the doctor does not have to cut into the abdomen. Surgery
for colon cancer can sometimes be done laparoscopically. In this method,
a lighted tube and special instruments are placed inside the body through
a few small incisions, rather than one large one.
Surgery is usually the main treatment for rectal cancer, too, although
radiation and chemotherapy often will be given before surgery.
The Steeplechase Cancer Center features a state-of-the-art Varian iX linear
accelerator. This equipment uses the latest in computer technology to
track and deliver high-energy X-rays to a patient’s tumor with pinpoint
accuracy. These X-rays can destroy the cancer cells while sparing the
surrounding normal tissue. The Radiation Oncology Department also is equipped
with modern treatment planning software, which enables physicians and
staff to generate a specialized plan to target the tumor.
Multidisciplinary Team Approach
Each patient’s treatment is guided by a care team of gastroenterologists,
medical oncologists, oncologic surgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists,
primary care physicians, pathologists, medical physicists, radiation therapists,
highly skilled certified oncology nurses, social workers, case managers,
nutritionists, pharmacists and pastoral care staff. A multidisciplinary
team continually reviews and updates our treatment protocols, ensuring
we are providing the most advanced care to improve the quality of life
for our patients.
Our Quality
Testimonials
Appointments
Colorectal Cancer
Our gastrointestinal system plays an important role in our body, helping
to absorb nutrients from our food and remove the waste. In the United
States, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related
deaths in men and in women, and the second most common cause of cancer
deaths when numbers for men and women are combined. It's expected to cause
about 52,580 deaths during 2022. Learn more about some of the signs and
symptoms of colorectal cancer, how to reduce your risk, the importance
of early detection, and available treatment options from
Dr. Brendan Scully
, a board-certified Colon and Rectal Surgeon with RWJBarnabas Health Medical
Group who sees patients at the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Robert Wood
Johnson University Hospital Somerset and Robert Wood Johnson University
Hospital in New Brunswick.
EBC Radio Interview About Colon Cancer
Listen as
Ehsan Patel, MD,
speaks with EBC Radio about gastrointestinal and colon cancer screening.
Listen to EBC Radio interview
The care was incredible. They all encouraged me and made me feel like I was their most important patient. They kept telling me, ‘We’re going to get through this,
Steve
Read More
“I was beyond stressed – it’s hard to explain unless you go through it,” says Jean, age 63. “But that recommendation was the best one I’ve ever received in my life.”
Jean
Read More
“The good news is that everything worked out pretty much how I told them it would.”
Erin
Read More
View All Cancer Stories
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
View All Posts
Feb 2, 2026
Cancer Prevention and Screening Matter
Nov 7, 2025
Landmark Data from Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health Show Long-term Complete Responses of T Cell Therapies for HPV-Related Cancers
Oct 21, 2025
RWJUH Somerset Holds Breast Cancer Awareness Symposium on Oct. 28
View All Events
Make Time for Mammography: It’s A Pink Party! - RWJUH Somerset
Apr 24, 2026
Skin Cancer Screening - RWJUH Somerset
May 2, 2026
Healthy Eating for Survivorship - RWJUH Somerset
Jun 25, 2026
menu
View Doctors
RWJ University Hospital Somerset
110 Rehill Avenue
Somerville
,
NJ
08876
USA
(908) 685-2200
Get Directions
Hours
Monday-Saturday 8:00am-9:00pm
Sunday CLOSED
(908) 685-2200
Not finding the treatment you're looking for?
View All Services