Early symptoms of colon cancer

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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Colon cancer often does not have obvious symptoms in its early stages, and of course, the specific situation needs to be analyzed on a case-by-case basis, as it varies from person to person. As the disease progresses, some clinical symptoms may appear. The first one is changes in bowel habits and stool characteristics; there might be blood in the stool, changes such as an increased frequency of defecation, urgency followed by a feeling of incomplete evacuation, and a sensation of rectal fullness, along with possible changes in the shape or thinning of the stool. The second possible symptom is abdominal pain, which may also be accompanied by a feeling of bloating or abdominal discomfort. The third possibility is the symptoms of intestinal obstruction, which include cessation of bowel movements and passing gas. The fourth is that a mass may be felt in the abdomen. The fifth point is that some individuals, especially those in poor health, may experience symptoms of nutritional depletion from the tumor, such as anemia, weight loss, and fatigue. If there is early metastasis, symptoms corresponding to the metastasis may also appear.

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Is minimally invasive surgery suitable for transverse colon cancer?

Transverse colon cancer can also be considered for minimally invasive surgical treatment. The main procedure involves a complete resection of the transverse colon, and sometimes, it may require the resection of part of other organs. For instance, if the cancer has invaded the splenic region of the colon, a splenectomy may be necessary. If there is invasion into the liver area, partial liver resection may be needed. In cases where minimally invasive surgery is not suitable or inconvenient, it is also possible to switch to open surgery. The goal is to completely remove the tumor. Whether minimally invasive or traditional surgery is used, it is just a method of operation. Additionally, postoperative adjunct chemotherapy and other comprehensive treatments are necessary.

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What are the early symptoms of colon cancer?

The early symptoms of colon cancer mainly include discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen, which does not necessarily become more pronounced after eating and generally occurs intermittently. Some patients may also experience changes in stool shape, primarily manifested as narrower stools, or an increased frequency of bowel movements per day, leading to diarrhea. Some patients in the early stages may experience worsening of pre-existing constipation, or alternating symptoms of diarrhea and constipation. Some colon cancer patients in the early stages may experience bloody stools, or the presence of mucus, pus, and blood in the stool, which are some atypical gastrointestinal symptoms of colitis. Some patients may also experience nausea.

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How to defecate after transverse colon cancer surgery

If transverse colon cancer is treated with curative resection surgery and no stoma creation, the anus is preserved, and defecation occurs through the original anus. If a colostomy is performed after surgery for transverse colon cancer, defecation occurs through an artificial anus, typically located in the lower left abdomen. There can be opportunities to reverse the stoma later if necessary. Even with a stoma, patients can gradually adapt. The main focus is always on completely removing the tumor. Generally, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is also used to control the condition.

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What should not be eaten with transverse colon cancer?

Transverse colon cancer is a type of colon cancer. Generally speaking, in terms of diet, one should not eat spicy, stimulating, or hard-to-digest foods, such as overly spicy food, hot pot, smoked, grilled, or pickled foods. It is best to avoid these, as well as alcohol and tobacco. Because transverse colon cancer can lead to intestinal blockage as the tumor grows, consuming spicy, stimulating, or indigestible foods, or overeating and causing indigestion, can lead to intestinal obstruction. This is a relatively high risk, and typically, once transverse colon cancer is diagnosed, consideration should begin for primarily curative surgery.

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Is upper gastrointestinal bleeding colon cancer?

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding cannot be caused by colon cancer, as the colon is part of the lower gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, upper gastrointestinal bleeding cannot result from colon cancer. There are several diseases that can cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding: The first common cause is peptic ulcer, including both gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers, which can lead to bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The second cause is bleeding due to esophageal or gastric varices rupture associated with liver cirrhosis. This type of bleeding can be substantial and sometimes life-threatening. The third cause is acute gastric mucosal injury, such as that caused by heavy alcohol consumption or the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The fourth cause is gastric cancer, which can lead to upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. While colon cancer can cause rectal bleeding, it is not a cause of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding.