Colon Cancer Symptoms
What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
Symptoms of colorectal cancer can vary among individuals. Some people experience no symptoms at all, especially in the early stages of the disease. In addition, colorectal cancer often develops from benign adenomatous intestinal polyps, which in themselves generally produce no symptoms.
If adenomatous intestinal polyps are not diagnosed and removed promptly, they can become cancerous, resulting in symptoms that may include:
- A change in bowel movements or habits, such as ongoing diarrhea, narrow (thin) stool, constipation, or runny stool
- A feeling of not being able to empty the bowel completely
- Abdominal discomfort or cramps
- Bloating and gas
- Fatigue
- Rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, dark mucus in the stool, or pockets of blood in the stool
- Unexpected weight loss
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition
As colorectal cancer grows, the wall of the colon gets thicker and hardens, and the growing tumor can block the colon, causing intestinal obstruction or rupture of the intestinal wall and a life-threatening infection called peritonitis. Seek immediate medical attention (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these symptoms:
- Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness
- Heavy rectal bleeding, or bloody, black or tarry stool
- High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Severe abdominal pain
What causes colorectal cancer?
The exact cause of colorectal cancer is not known. However, research shows that multiple acquired changes to the genetic material in the cells lining the colon can lead to their uncontrolled growth and the formation of precancerous cells, which can eventually form polyps. The presence of adenomatous intestinal polyps that are not removed while still benign (not cancerous) significantly increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. The initial event that alters the cells is not known in most cases, but some gene mutations that increase the risk of colorectal cancer can be inherited.
What are the potential complications of colorectal cancer?
Complications of colorectal cancer are life-threatening. Complications of colorectal cancer are caused by rapid growth of abnormal cells that can grow through the wall of the intestine and travel through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other areas of the body, most often the liver. There they can multiply rapidly and develop new malignant tumors that interfere with normal organ function.
In addition, as colorectal cancer grows, the wall of the colon gets thicker and hardens, and the growing tumor can block the colon, causing intestinal obstruction or rupture of the intestinal wall and a life-threatening infection called peritonitis.
You can best treat colorectal cancer and lower your risk of complications by seeking regular medical care and routine colorectal screening tests, and following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you.
