Symptoms of colon cancer

Written By The HealthMeth Team - Updated On Tuesday, February 9, 2021 12:00 PM

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer affects the last part of the digestive system known as the colon (the large intestine). It usually begins with the formation of small benign lumps in the colon known as polyps, which may lead to the appearance of some symptoms on the individual, and they may later develop into cancerous masses, and therefore doctors advise to conduct regular detection examinations. It contributes to detecting benign masses so that they can be removed before they turn into cancerous masses and thus prevent colon cancer [1]. This type of cancer may interfere with colorectal cancer. They share common features, [2]The rectum is the part that connects the colon and the anus, in which the waste is collected until the process is removed, and its length ranges between 12.7-15.24 cm. [3]


In fact, the elderly group is considered the most vulnerable to infection, despite the possibility of infection at any age, [1] and bowel cancers generally arise from the development of polyps and benign masses that have been formed in the patient for a period ranging from 5-15 years, [1] 4] However, it is worth emphasizing that these polyps are not considered cancerous, and they do not necessarily turn into cancer in the future, but if they are present, the doctor uses a tissue biopsy to confirm the type of polyps, and he may resort to a colonoscopy to confirm the condition, If the lumps are cancerous, the patient is subjected to various types of treatments depending on the case and under the supervision of a specialist doctor. Treatments can be either surgery or chemotherapy, and in rare cases radiotherapy can be used, [3] [5] In fact, there are many measures that can be taken to reduce the chances of developing this type of cancer. Such as quitting smoking and alcoholic beverages, following a healthy diet, and exercising, in addition to maintaining a healthy weight. [1]

To learn more about colon cancer, read the following article: ( What is colon cancer ) .


Symptoms of colon cancer

In fact, the symptoms appearing on the patient may be the same in the event of colon cancer in both women and men. [6] In fact, people with colon cancer in the early stages may not suffer from the appearance of any signs and symptoms indicating that, and this requires periodic examinations for early detection. ; As the cure rate is high at the beginning of the injury, as these tests are recommended for those who have reached the age of fifty years or more, or if the risk of this type or other types of cancer is high for those under fifty years of age, as well as if they have a family history of infection , [7] [8] With an emphasis that these signs that the patient may suffer may not be signs of cancer in some cases, but rather may be the result of the presence of other problems such as infections and hemorrhoids.Hemorrhoids, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and it should be noted that caution and caution should be taken in the event that symptoms persist despite taking simple remedial measures, or If it appears in the elderly. [9] [10]


Signs of localized colon cancer

Colon cancer is accompanied by the emergence of many local signs that include changes in the patient's excretion process, and a feeling of discomfort in the abdominal area, and the most important of these symptoms can be explained in some detail as follows: [11]


The appearance of blood in the stool

The patient may sometimes notice the presence of blood in the stool , or the stool may be of a dark color, which may indicate the presence of bleeding in part of the intestine or rectum, but in some cases the individual may suffer from bleeding without the appearance of any indications For this, a condition known as Fecal occult blood, and this may only be discovered through a laboratory blood test. A decrease in the number of red blood cells may indicate this condition, and it is worth noting that the appearance of blood in the stool is a symptom of colon cancer, and it may also indicate the presence of hemorrhoids, with some differences between the two cases. Those that appear and disappear at other times, but in the case of colon cancer, the bleeding will be continuous or the condition may worsen and may be accompanied by a feeling of pain, [12]It must be noted that blood accompanying stool may not occur in all cases of colon cancer, and it may indicate the presence of other diseases, as was previously indicated, however it is necessary to see a specialist doctor if it is noticed. [13]


Constant changes in the output process

These changes are represented by an increase in the number of times the patient is excreted more than usual or decreased in other cases continuously, including diarrhea and constipation respectively, and in fact, stomach upset or infection in the intestine may cause this symptom to appear, but it disappears in a few days with improvement If the patient continues for more than that, he must see a doctor because this may indicate the presence of another problem, and all cases in which a change in excretory habits occurs in an unjustified manner require a visit to the doctor, especially if it continues for more than a few days or worsens with The passage of time, [14] [6] It should be noted that this may be accompanied by a feeling of inability to complete the excretion process or an immediate need to excrete. [15]


Change in the shape and consistency of stools

The appearance of stool like a tape or pen may indicate colon cancer in some cases, and it may indicate narrowing of the colon for some, a condition known as partial colonic obstruction, as the growth of the cancerous mass inside the colon works to narrow the course of the colon, which leads to the appearance of stool in this way. [11]


Pain and gas in the abdomen

Digestive disorders in the form of attacks and abdominal pain are common symptoms that some individuals experience at some point in their lives in non-cancerous cases. Such as the presence of hemorrhoids, or irritable bowel syndrome, and in most cases these disorders do not indicate colon cancer unless it is severe and lasted for a long time, as colon cancer affects the large intestine area responsible for bowel movement and excretion process, and any change in the excretory processes leads to the emergence of Several symptoms that may indicate colon cancer; Such as cramps, persistent pain, and gas in the abdomen, [16] in the event of an increase in the size of the cancer, a blockage of the colon occurs, which leads to pain and constant vomiting, and may lead to a perforation of the colon or rectum, and thus stool leakage into the abdominal area, which leads to the feeling of severe pain , [14]It should be noted that in normal cases a person can pass gases 23 times during the day, but in cases of colon cancer the number of times increases dramatically than that as a late sign of blockage that occurs in the colon, and gases may be a result of the cancer moving from the colon to the nearby lymph nodes, however It should be noted that these gases usually occur as a result of consuming some foods such as soft drinks, dairy products, and foods rich in fiber, in addition to the incidence of digestive disorders. Inflammatory bowel disease. [11]


Signs of systemic colon cancer

Colon cancer is accompanied by the emergence of systemic symptoms that affect all parts of the body, and they may include the following: [11]


Unexplained anemia

Anemia is represented by a decrease in the number of red blood cells, and as mentioned previously, colon cancer may be associated with continuous loss of small amounts of blood in the stool, accompanied by a loss of iron and thus slowly depleting the iron stores in the body, which affects the formation of new red blood cells. Total red blood cell numbers decrease, and as a result of chronic blood loss, an individual becomes anemic, and in fact, iron anemia can be observed in women most commonly during menstruation, and for men it is rare and needs additional diagnosis to determine the cause. [17] In fact, a person with anemia exhibits many symptoms, such as: pallor of the face, an increase in the number of heartbeats, fatigue and general fatigue, feeling dizzy, and menstrual disturbances in women. [12] The patient may also suffer from shortness of breath and feeling Slothful and lethargic despite taking a break.[3]


Weight loss

Usually, a person with cancer of all kinds - including colon cancer - experiences unexplained weight loss of about 4.5 kilograms or more over a period of six months or less, and this can happen as a result of several factors, including the consumption of energy sources by cancer cells in The body, in addition to using the immune system for energy to be able to work hard to fight disease, and cancer cells can release substances in the body that change the mechanism of converting food into energy, which may cause weight loss, in addition to that if the size of the tumor becomes in the colon It may lead to a blockage in the colon, and thus may affect intestinal motility habits, which leads to unexplained weight loss. [16]


Feeling of chronic fatigue

A person with colon cancer may suffer from a feeling of constant fatigue and weakness, which may be due to the consumption of cancer cells part of the body's energy, in addition to the stress and anxiety resulting from suffering from digestive disorders, and the fact that fatigue does not disappear despite taking a break, and it should be noted that Fatigue can be a symptom of other problems. [6]


Signs of colon cancer spread

Colon cancer can spread to the lymph nodes or to other parts of the body, and spread to both the liver and the lung is the most common. [14] Usually, people with colon cancer do not feel any symptoms or signs related to this if it has spread. Their appearance varies according to the size of the cancerous mass, and the place of spread outside the colon or rectum. In the event that it spreads to the bone, the patient may suffer from pain, bone fractures, and constipation, in addition to the possibility of high calcium level , but if the spread is in the lung, the symptoms may be shortness and difficulty breathing, coughing, and a feeling of pain and fatigue, while he may suffer The patient suffers from nausea, swelling of the limbs, and an increase in the circumference of the abdomen, and this may be accompanied by jaundice if it spreads to the liver, and the patient may suffer from flatulence, or loss of appetite, or both, in the event of an injuryLymph nodes in the abdominal area. [8]


The reasons for seeing a doctor

It is worth noting the importance of consulting a specialist doctor when feeling any of the various symptoms previously mentioned, even if they are not related to colon cancer. So as to be able to know the cause of her proper identification of treatment, in particular , that the symptoms of colon cancer may resemble symptoms caused by other cases, the doctor may need to perform sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to detect the presence of cancer or any growth can develop later to cancer, [ 15] [18]It is worth noting that premenopausal women may become confused when they are exposed to the first signs of colon cancer, such as flatulence and digestive disorders, as these signs are common with menstrual disturbances, although there are many differences. Where bleeding from the anal area indicates colon cancer, while vaginal bleeding indicates menstruation, however, sometimes these differences may not be apparent. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor to determine the case. [19]


References

  1. ^ A b T. Mayo , Clinic Staff (08 Oct., 2019), "Colon Cancer" , Www.mayoclinic.org , Retrieved 28. 2. 2020. Edited by .
  2. Donna Myers (July 17, 2019), "An Overview of Colon Cancer" , www.verywellhealth.com , Retrieved 28. 2. 2020. Edited.
  3. ^ A b T in Cleveland Clinic Medical Professional (10/27/2018), "Colorectal (Colon) Cancer" , My.clevelandclinic.org , Retrieved 28. 2. 2020. Edited by .
  4. NHS oncology department (April 2020), “Colon Cancer and Rectal cancer” , www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk , Retrieved 28. 2. 2020. Edited.
  5. Miguel A Rodriguez-Bigas, Axel Grothey (Jan 2020), "Colon and rectal cancer" , www.uptodate.com , Retrieved 28. 2. 2020. Edited.
  6. ^ A b T , Jon Johnson (April 4, 2019), "Signs And Symptoms Of Colon Cancer In mens" , www.medicalnewstoday.com The , Retrieved 28. 2. 2020. Edited by .
  7. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, "Colon cancer facts" , www.seattlecca.org , Retrieved 28.2. 2020. Edited.
  8. ^ A b Cancer Treatment Centers Of America, "Colorectal Cancer Symptoms" , Www.cancercenter.com , 28. Retrieved 2 2020. Edited by .
  9. Stacy Simon (February 18, 2020), "Signs and Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer" , www.cancer.org , Retrieved 28. 2. 2020. Edited.
  10. "Bowel cancer" , www.nhs.uk , 10 October 2019, Retrieved 28. 2. 2020. Edited.
  11. ^ A b t w Suzanne Dixon , (July 17, 2019), " the Symptoms Of Colon Cancer" , Www.verywellhealth.com , Retrieved Feb. 28. 2020. Edited.
  12. ^ A b "Colon Cancer the Symptoms" , Www.hopkinsmedicine.org , Retrieved Feb. 28. 2020. Edited.
  13. "Colorectal Cancer Symptoms" , fightcolorectalcancer.org , Retrieved Feb, 2, 2020. Edited.
  14. ^ A b T , Colin Tidy (20 Join Date : Feb 2018), "Colon, Rectal And Bowel Cancer" , Patient.info , Retrieved Feb. 28. 2020. Edited.
  15. ^ A b Carmelita Swiner (January 23, 2020), "What ' The Post Are the Symptoms Of Colorectal Cancer?" , Www.webmd.com , Retrieved Feb 28, 2020. Edited.
  16. ^ A b UnityPoint Health (Join Date : Mar 3, 2016), "5 Colon Cancer That the Symptoms are On the Easy To Overlook" , Www.unitypoint.org , Retrieved Join Date : Feb, 28, 2020. Edited by .
  17. "Symptoms of Colon Cancer" , stopcoloncancernow.com , Retrieved Feb 28, 2020. Edited.
  18. "Colorectal Cancer Types, Symptoms, and Risks" , hillman.upmc.com , Retrieved Feb, 29, 2020. Edited.
  19. “Symptoms of Colon Cancer in Women” , www.roswellpark.org , March 23, 2018, Retrieved Feb 29, 2020. Edited.