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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What medicine to take for diarrhea caused by rectal cancer?

Diarrhea is a common symptom of rectal cancer. For symptomatic treatment, we can take medications such as montmorillonite powder or loperamide to alleviate diarrhea, and use probiotics like Bifidobacterium triple or quadruple live bacteria to regulate intestinal flora. However, these treatments only alleviate symptoms rather than cure the underlying disease. The key is to control the rectal cancer itself. Treating the tumor is the fundamental solution. Only when the tumor is under control will the patient's diarrhea symptoms be relieved. Otherwise, even if the symptoms are alleviated by antidiarrheal drugs, if the tumor is not controlled, symptoms including diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain will recur and may even worsen.

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Does stage II rectal cancer require chemotherapy?

Whether a stage II colorectal cancer patient needs adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery depends on the specific circumstances. For example, stage IIA patients are classified as T3, N0, M0. The necessity of adjuvant chemotherapy for these patients should be determined based on the pathological report. If the report indicates the presence of vascular invasion, neural invasion, poor differentiation, or if microsatellite stability testing shows poor prognostic factors, then such patients should undergo postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. If none of these conditions are present in a stage IIA patient, then postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy may not be necessary. Generally, stage IIB patients, whose tumors have penetrated the full thickness of the intestinal wall, are recommended to undergo postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Therefore, the specific conditions of the patient need to be considered.

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Where to apply moxibustion for rectal cancer?

Firstly, the treatment of rectal cancer with moxibustion needs to be differentiated. Everyone has a different constitution. If someone has rectal cancer and has a heat-type constitution, it is not recommended to undergo moxibustion treatment. However, if the patient has a cold-type constitution, moxibustion treatment can be performed. The second issue is where exactly to apply the moxibustion. It can be done on the abdomen, around the navel, where there are acupuncture points, all suitable for moxibustion. For example, the navel, which corresponds to the Shenque point, can be treated with moxibustion. Other points above and below the navel, like Guanyuan and Qihai, can also be used for moxibustion.

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Is chemotherapy effective for late-stage rectal cancer?

Late-stage rectal cancer is primarily due to the metastasis and proliferation of cancer cells. At this stage, surgery alone cannot completely eliminate cancer cells, so chemotherapy is necessary. Chemotherapy has certain effects clinically, especially in patients who are sensitive to chemotherapy drugs, where the effects are more pronounced. This can control the spread of cancer cells in multiple locations and can, to some extent, improve patient survival rates. For patients, it is important to maintain good health, enhance their immune system, consume foods rich in high-quality proteins, and engage in appropriate exercise. Moreover, maintaining a positive mindset is beneficial for extending life. Additionally, patients can integrate traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture as complementary therapies, which can also potentially improve postoperative survival rates.

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Can you eat edamame after rectal cancer surgery?

Patients with rectal cancer can eat edamame after surgery. However, they should pay attention to the following dietary advice post-surgery: First, eat less or avoid animal fats, which means limiting the intake of saturated fatty acids. Second, even the consumption of vegetable oils should be limited. Third, do not eat fried foods. Fourth, during cooking, oils should not be overheated. Fifth, eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits.