Common Symptoms Of Colon Cancer

Colon, or colorectal, cancer is a type of cancer that develops, as the name states, in the colon. This type of cancer can even be cured easily if it is discovered in time. There are some common symptoms of colon cancer that indicate when someone should see the doctor right away. However, these symptoms could indicate other diseases as well, and therefore, you shouldn’t panic.

Classifications of Colon Cancer

In the initial stages, cancer may not make you feel any different nor determine symptoms to appear. However, cancer can reach its final stage in only 14 weeks. Therefore, everyone should go in for regular checkups, especially, those that have reached the age of 50. The common symptoms of colon cancer can be classified into three categories: local, constitutional and metastatic.

Local Symptoms

When the tumor is located near the rectum, local symptoms can appear, such as changes in the bowel movement. These changes can be of any nature, from bowel movement regularity to various stool details like color or consistence.

Diarrhea and Constipation

On the same note, local common symptoms of colon cancer also include diarrhea and constipation. A bleeding in the lower gastro- intestine can lead to bright red blood being eliminated together with the stool. However, a bleeding in the upper gastro-intestine will cause stools to have a black and tarry appearance.

Obstruction Tumors

Also, a large tumor may obstruct bowel movements. This will result in abdominal pain and distension caused by the capsule trapped inside. The stool’s shape may become ribbon-like due to the blockage. Local effects are more obvious in the final stages of the cancer. The same obstruction can also cause air in the urine or vaginal fluids.

Constitutional Symptoms

A tumor that causes chronic bleeding will cause fatigue, palpitations and loss of appetite leading to unnecessary weight loss. Moreover, the skin of a colon cancer patient is also paler than his usual color. Unexplained fever and paraneoplastic syndromes, like deep vein thrombosis, can also be taken into account as a symptom.

Metastatic Symptoms

Metastatic symptoms are part of the common symptoms of colon cancer, which are caused by the spread of the cancerous cells. Colon cancer spreads mainly to the liver. This can cause jaundice, which leads to abdominal pain. The tumor may also obstruct the normal function of the bile, which will lead to passing of pale stools. This is why the stools must be monitored at all times and taken in for analysis at the slightest change that persists.

Other Symptoms

There are other common symptoms of colon cancer which include excess gas production which causes bloating, stomach pain and anemia. Other abdominal and gastro-intestinal symptoms are usually cramps, nausea and/or vomiting. All patients need to realize that the given symptoms, observed separately, do not imply a diagnostic of colon cancer. However, most times it’s better to prevent an unwanted disease, thus, go in for an urgent check-up if you feel that something is wrong with your body and consider a cleansing diet.