Has rectal cancer progressed to the advanced stage with vomiting?

Written by Cui Fang Bo
Oncology
Updated on April 26, 2025
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Patients with rectal cancer who experience vomiting do not necessarily indicate that their condition has reached an advanced stage; the situation needs to be differentiated and treated accordingly. If nausea and vomiting are due to the gastrointestinal side effects of antitumor treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, it is unrelated to the severity of rectal cancer. Appropriate antiemetic treatment can provide significant relief. If a rectal cancer patient experiences projectile vomiting due to brain metastases, which lead to an increase in intracranial pressure, it indicates that the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. Some rectal cancer patients may also experience vomiting due to gastrointestinal obstruction caused by the tumor, accompanied by cessation of bowel movements and gas, which are also signs of advanced disease.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Stage II colorectal cancer

Rectal cancer staging is based on the TNM system. "T" refers to the primary tumor, "N" indicates whether there are lymph node metastases, and "M" indicates the presence of distant metastases. Staging is determined according to these factors. Stage II generally refers to patients with T3, N0, M0, or T4, N0, M0. What does this mean? T3 indicates that the tumor has penetrated the base layer reaching the subserosal layer, or has invaded the tissues adjacent to parts of the colon or rectum that are not covered by peritoneum, which is described as T3. T4 means that the tumor has invaded through the entire bowel wall, perforated the visceral peritoneum, and involved other organs or structures, which is called T4. N0, M0 means there are no lymph node metastases and no distant metastases, such as to the liver or lungs. Such patients are clinically staged as stage II rectal cancer.

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Written by Cui Fang Bo
Oncology
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Can the anus be preserved if the rectal cancer is 3 cm away from the anus?

When rectal cancer is 3cm from the anus, it generally isn't possible to preserve the anus. Currently, the commonly used surgical methods for rectal cancer are the Dixon and Miles techniques. Generally, the threshold is 5cm from the anus; when the tumor is within 5cm of the anus, it often necessitates a Miles procedure, which does not preserve the anus. When the tumor is more than 5cm from the anus, an anus-preserving Dixon procedure can be performed. However, in considering the radical resection of rectal cancer, preserving the anus should not be the primary choice; instead, the main goal should be curative.

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Written by Zhang Yan Kai
Family Medicine
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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
Oncology
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The difference between rectal cancer and colon cancer lies in the location of the cancer. Rectal cancer occurs in the rectum, which is the final part of the large intestine, while colon cancer occurs in other parts of the colon.

Rectal cancer and colon cancer are collectively referred to as colorectal cancer, named according to the different locations where the tumors occur. Rectal cancer occurs in the rectum. Colon cancer includes tumors in the transverse colon, descending colon, ascending colon, and sigmoid colon, and tumors in these areas are called colon cancer. Both are known as colorectal cancer, and they exhibit similar clinical manifestations, including rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits, such as constipation, diarrhea, alternating constipation and diarrhea, and changes in stool shape, such as narrowing of the stool. They are merely named differently based on the location of the tumors and are collectively referred to as colorectal cancer.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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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.