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.

Other Voices

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Written by Si Li Li

Gastroenterology

1min 5sec

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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.

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Written by Sun Wei

Surgical Oncology

59sec

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Can advanced colorectal cancer be cured?

Complete cure is often difficult to achieve in the middle and late stages of colorectal cancer. Of course, it is possible to control the progression of the lesion and then prolong survival. For middle and late-stage colorectal cancer, if the treatment is reasonable or effective, it is possible to survive for more than three years, five years, or even longer. Clinically, surviving more than five years without recurrence is considered a clinical cure. Of course, there is still a possibility of recurrence after five years, but the probability of recurrence will be much lower. If one can survive more than ten years, or even 20 years without recurrence, it is basically considered a cure, but regular check-ups are still necessary afterward, as it cannot be guaranteed that there will be no recurrence. For the middle and late stages of colorectal cancer, surgical treatment should be pursued whenever possible, followed by a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy after surgery.

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Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

1min 15sec

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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 Sun Wei

Surgical Oncology

49sec

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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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Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

1min 11sec

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Differentiation between Colon Polyps and Colon Cancer

The most distinct diagnostic criteria between colon polyps and colon cancer are that colon polyps are benign lesions, whereas colon cancer is a malignant tumor of the intestines. Colon polyps are generally small in size or present as multiple polyps, with localized mucosal elevation. They may appear the size of mung beans or be pedunculated, and may be accompanied by mild abdominal pain, generally without blood in the stool. In contrast, during the onset of colon cancer, there is usually abdominal pain accompanied by bloody stools. In the later or advanced stages of colon cancer, after the tumor ruptures, it may also lead to severe gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as overall bodily wasting and anemia. The prognosis for colon polyps is relatively good; regular follow-up checks are sufficient. However, for colon cancer, if detected early, surgical removal can be an option. The survival rate in the middle and late stages is lower than in the early stage, and treatment may require a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.