What are the symptoms of transverse colon cancer?

Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
Updated on September 13, 2024
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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.

Other Voices

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
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Is lower right abdominal pain colon cancer?

Pain in the lower right abdomen does not necessarily indicate colon cancer, as there are many possible causes of this pain. Common conditions include acute or chronic appendicitis, gynecological diseases such as pelvic inflammatory disease, torsion of a right ovarian cyst, ectopic pregnancy, and others. Additionally, urological issues like a stone in the lower part of the right ureter can cause severe pain in the lower right abdomen, which are again not indicative of colon cancer. Gastrointestinal diseases like Crohn's disease often lead to pain in the lower right abdomen. Of course, tumors in the ileocecal area or ascending colon can also cause such pain. Hence, while lower right abdominal pain is not necessarily due to colon cancer, in rare cases, it could be.

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Early symptoms of colon cancer

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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Colorectal Cancer CT Manifestations and Differential Diagnosis

Early-stage colon cancer is difficult to clearly detect on a CT scan. In the moderate to late stages, colon cancer has more typical manifestations on CT, mainly characterized by thickening of the colon wall, irregular narrowing of the intestinal lumen, and stiffness of the intestinal wall. After enhancement, significant enhancement can be observed. The pericolonic fat space may appear blurred, and in the late stages, small lymph nodes can be seen, and even distant metastasis, most commonly to the liver, can be detected. It is necessary to differentiate colon cancer from colonic inflammation. Inflammatory lesions are usually more widespread and have typical clinical features such as fever and abdominal pain. It is also necessary to differentiate from lymphoma, as lymphomas also cause narrowing of the intestinal lumen but the narrowing is not eccentric and the intestinal wall remains soft, generally not leading to obstruction, whereas in late-stage colon cancer, colonic obstruction can be observed.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
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Is dry, pellet-like stool a symptom of colon cancer?

Dry, granular stools are not necessarily symptoms of colon cancer, but patients with colon cancer may also experience dry, granular stools. Therefore, after exhibiting the above symptoms, patients need to promptly complete an electronic colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis of the disease. For example, if the symptoms are due to colon cancer, aggressive surgical treatment should be taken, followed by comprehensive treatment including radiotherapy and chemotherapy. If the symptoms are due to functional indigestion causing constipation, treatment should involve using medications to regulate the intestinal flora and relieve constipation.

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What to do about liver metastasis from transverse colon cancer?

Liver metastasis in transverse colon cancer is relatively common, especially in cases where the disease has progressed. Because the transverse colon is located close to the liver region, tumors in this area can potentially metastasize to the liver via the lymphatic or blood circulation, or through local infiltration. In cases where the liver metastasis is localized, there is still an opportunity for surgical treatment involving a radical resection of the transverse colon cancer combined with partial hepatectomy. If there are multiple metastases in the liver, radical surgery may not be feasible. Initially, preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy or targeted therapy is performed. If the liver metastatic lesions can be reduced or disappear, there may still be a chance for surgical treatment afterwards.