Early symptoms of colon cancer

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on August 31, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
1min 1sec home-news-image

Is colon cancer invading the submucosa early stage?

The lesion of colon cancer has invaded the submucosa, which could be either early stage or advanced stage, as the staging of colon cancer is determined by three factors. First is the primary lesion of the colon cancer itself, second is the regional lymph node metastasis, and third is distant metastasis. The invasion of the submucosa in colon cancer is just indicative of the status of the primary lesion; we also need to consider the regional lymph nodes and distant metastasis to determine the stage. If the lesion has invaded the submucosa without regional lymph node metastasis and no distant metastasis, then its clinical stage is early. If the lesion of colon cancer has not only invaded the submucosa but also has regional lymph node metastasis or has metastasized to distant organs, then the condition would be considered as advanced stage.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
1min 2sec home-news-image

What causes colon cancer?

Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive system, and its occurrence is related to the following factors: First, dietary factors. A high-fat content and a low fiber content in the diet both lead to an increased incidence of colorectal cancer. Furthermore, long-term consumption of pickled foods can also increase the incidence of colorectal cancer, presumably because these foods contain higher levels of nitrosamine carcinogens. Second, some benign chronic diseases of the colon, such as adenomatous polyps and certain chronic colitis, can also lead to an increased incidence of colorectal cancer. Third, environmental factors. Epidemiological studies have found that the occurrence of colorectal cancer is related to geographical distribution. In some environments with a high incidence of colorectal cancer, the content of some trace elements in the soil is too low, leading to a high incidence of colorectal cancer.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
52sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of bone metastases from colon cancer?

Colon cancer generally refers to a malignant tumor that grows on the colon and typically appears in middle-aged populations. If colon cancer is not treated promptly, it can easily lead to bone metastasis. The bone metastasis of colon cancer is similar to other tumor metastases. The symptoms such as chest pain or tenderness upon pressing could be caused by bone metastasis from lung cancer. In the early stages of colon cancer, there are generally no symptoms of bone metastasis. However, once the tumor metastasizes to weight-bearing bones, thoracic vertebrae, cervical vertebrae, or lumbar vertebrae, it can result in paralysis. Patients must seek timely medical examination and treatment at a hospital to prevent the cancer cells from metastasizing.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 5sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
45sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of transverse colon cancer?

Transverse colon cancer is a type of colon cancer, belonging to malignant tumors of the digestive system. The main symptoms may include rectal bleeding, narrower stools, increased frequency of defecation, diarrhea, and it may also cause constipation. For instance, if the tumor in the transverse colon is large enough to block the intestinal lumen, it could lead to difficulty in defecating. Constipation or even signs of intestinal obstruction could occur. Generally, a diagnosis can be confirmed through an endoscopic biopsy. After diagnosis, transverse colon cancer can be treated surgically, primarily through curative surgery, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and other comprehensive treatments.