According to the A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, the colon and rectum are part of the large intestine (large bowel). Colon and rectum cancers, which are sometimes referred to together as "colorectal cancer," arise from the lining of the large intestine. When cancer arises from the lining of an organ like the large intestine, it is called a carcinoma.

• Cancer.gov: Colorectal cancer - Provides access to authoritative documents from the National Cancer Institute, including information about treatment, supportive care and clinical trials.
• MedlinePlus: Colorectal Cancer - Developed at the National Library of Medicine specifically for consumers, this site is a portal for both government-sponsored and privately developed health information for the lay public. Look for familiar links to places like the National Institutes of Health.
• Colon Cancer Alliance - Support and information for people touched by colorectal cancer. Provides information regarding available services, personal stories, financial issues, book reviews and current events.
• American Gastroenterological Association - This online service is available for medical professionals and the general public who are interested in learning the latest news regarding digestive diseases, including colorectal cancer.

• American Cancer Society's Complete Guide to Colorectal Cancer. Levin B. ed. 2006.
• Choices: The Most Complete Sourcebook for Cancer Information. Morra M. 2003.
• Clinical Nutrition in Gastrointestinal Disease. Buchman A. 2006.
• Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy: How Cancer is Diagnosed, Treated and Managed Day to Day. Dollinger M. 2002.
• Gastrointestinal Cancers: Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer. Longe J, ed. 2006. Available in print at the Health Learning Center or online at nmh.org/nmh/hlc/main.htm.
• Second Act: Life After Colostomy and Other Adventures. Barrie B. 1997.

• "Accurate Staging, Selective Preoperative Therapy and Optimal Surgery Improves Outcome in Rectal Cancer: A Review of the Recent Evidence." Colorectal Disease. 9(4):290–301. Daniels I. May 2007.
• "Aspirin Use Cuts Colon Cancer Risk but May Have Side Effects." Mayo Clinic Women's Healthsource. 10(4):3. April 2006.
• "Colorectal Cancer: Potential Therapeutic Benefits of Vitamin D." International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology. 39(4):672–677. Jimenez-Lara A. 2007.
• "Facing the Fat—and the Facts." Harvard Men's Health Watch. 10(10):5-6. May 2006.
• "Priorities in Colorectal Cancer Research: Recommendations From the Gastrointestinal Scientific Leadership Council of the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups." Journal of Clinical Oncology. 25(16):2313–2321. O'Dwyer P. June 1, 2007.

• Colonoscopy. 15 min

• Model: The colon, including a picture guide of common pathologies
• Chart: The Anatomy of Colon Cancer: The Progression from Polyp to Cancer

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