What are the symptoms and early signs of rectal cancer?

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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In the early stages of rectal cancer, there are no obvious symptoms. Only when the condition progresses to a certain extent do some clinical symptoms appear. The first is a change in bowel habits or the nature of the stool. The second possible symptom is abdominal pain. The third possible outcome is intestinal obstruction. The fourth symptom occurs when the tumor develops to a certain extent, and lumps can be felt in the abdomen. The fifth point includes possible symptoms of systemic poisoning such as anemia, weight loss, fever, and weakness. The sixth point is that in the advanced stages of rectal cancer, some metastatic lesions may appear, such as extensive pelvic metastasis and infiltration, leading to pain in the sacral area and sciatic neuralgia; if areas like the vaginal, rectal mucosa, or bladder mucosa are involved, there may be vaginal bleeding or blood in the urine, resulting in conditions like rectovaginal or rectovesical fistulas.

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Is anal canal cancer considered a type of rectal cancer?

Anal canal cancer can also be considered a type of rectal cancer, specifically the type located near the anus, referred to as anal canal cancer. Generally, anal canal cancer may have a higher malignancy level, and its initial main symptoms include rectal bleeding and changes in stool characteristics, such as narrower stools. There may also be a sensation of heaviness and pain in the anal area. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through a digital rectal examination and a biopsy. If necessary, an anoscopy and other common examinations can be conducted to check for lesions in other parts of the intestine. Generally, the prognosis for anal canal cancer is not as favorable as for other types of rectal or colon cancer.

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Written by Zhang Yan Kai
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Is a faint pain below the center of the lower abdomen indicative of rectal cancer?

There is a vague pain just below the middle of the lower abdomen, and although there is a possibility of rectal cancer, it is not necessarily certain to be rectal cancer. There are many reasons for pain in this area; common causes to consider include intestinal infection or intestinal spasms and obstruction. Tumors can also cause pain in this area. In women, pain just below the middle of the lower abdomen also needs to exclude the possibility of pelvic inflammatory disease or gynecological inflammation, etc. It is necessary to complete examinations such as a color ultrasound and an upright abdominal plain film for confirmation. If the pain occurs repeatedly, further examinations including a complete blood count, inflammatory markers, and other relevant inflammation tests should also be completed for a clear diagnosis.

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Written by Liu Liang
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Rectal cancer stage III

Rectal cancer staging is based on the TNM system. "T" refers to the primary tumor, and its stage depends on which layer of the bowel wall the tumor has invaded. "N" is based on whether there are lymph node metastases and the number of lymph nodes involved. "M" indicates whether there are metastases to distant organs. Staging is determined according to the TNM situation, where Stage I is the earliest and Stage IV is the latest. Stage III indicates lymph node metastasis without distant organ metastases, such as to the liver or lungs. In such cases, irrespective of whether T is T1 to T4, if there is lymph node involvement without distant organ metastasis, it is staged as Stage III.

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Written by Zhang Peng
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Difference between hemorrhoids bleeding and rectal cancer bleeding

The difference between bleeding from hemorrhoids and rectal cancer is distinct. For hemorrhoids, bleeding is mostly painless and intermittent, primarily manifesting as bright red blood either dripping or spraying into the toilet bowl. Patients may even experience significant blood loss, potentially leading to shock. On the other hand, bleeding from rectal cancer usually involves blood mixed with stool and generally does not involve large volumes. Most patients present with dark-edged stool. Anemia is often detected during routine blood tests, which leads to further investigation with a colonoscopy that may reveal rectal cancer. Therefore, the bleeding characteristics of the two conditions are different. In cases where rectal cancer is suspected, proactive endoscopic examinations are recommended to confirm the diagnosis through tissue pathology, followed by aggressive surgical treatment.

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Postoperative Diet and Care for Rectal Cancer

Firstly, rectal cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive tract, so after surgery, it is recommended to eat foods that are easy to digest and absorb. Secondly, do not smoke, abstain from alcohol, and avoid spicy and irritating foods. Thirdly, it is advised not to eat indigestible foods, such as bean products and foods that cause gas, and to consume them in smaller quantities. Fourthly, rectal cancer may deplete a large amount of nutrients in the body, coupled with the damage from surgery, so it is essential to ensure a nutrition-rich diet, consume nutritious foods such as soups, easily digestible congee, and high-quality proteins to increase the body's nutrients. Fifthly, attention should be paid to timely adding clothing to avoid catching a cold.