What are the symptoms of stool in colon cancer?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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The stool of colon cancer generally appears as mucoid or purulent bloody stool, or there is alternation of diarrhea and constipation. The diagnosis of colon cancer mainly relies on electronic colonoscopy, and routine blood tests as well as carcinoembryonic antigen tests are also of certain reference value. Patients with colon cancer often present with symptoms like anemia and weight loss. Therefore, it is crucial for patients with colon cancer to obtain a definitive diagnosis as early as possible. In addition, early surgical treatment should be adopted. After surgery, adjunct treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy should also be administered.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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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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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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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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Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
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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.

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Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
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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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Written by Yan Chun
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Is having dry stools every day colon cancer?

Dry stools every day can be a clinical manifestation of colon cancer, often due to lesions in the colon caused by the invasion of cancer. Sometimes, it is caused by cancerous bowel obstruction. In addition to dry stools, some patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and constipation. However, daily dry stools are not solely caused by colon cancer; some benign intestinal diseases can also lead to this condition, such as chronic constipation or melanosis coli, where patients may experience daily hard stools. Moreover, if dry stools occur daily and persist over a long period, they can potentially lead to malignant changes. Therefore, patients with daily dry stools should regularly undergo colonoscopy to prevent any pathological changes that might have progressed to cancer. Prompt treatment should be administered if the condition worsens.