Symptoms Of Colon Cancer In Children

Cancer is an unfortunate disease and most often can’t be treated if it’s discovered in its final stages. Did you know that more and more people of different ages receive the diagnostic of colon cancer every week? Children are an age category which is also included, but parents can discover it in early stages by keeping an eye out for symptoms of colon cancer in children. If discovered early, colon cancer or colorectal cancer can be treated. Statistically speaking, the main cause of this form of cancer in children is family health and medical history.

Incidence of Inherited Colon Cancer

If a child has one or more first and second degree relatives that have been diagnosed with colon cancer, then that child is predisposed to inherit the disease. Approximately 20% of colorectal diagnostic cases in children are known to have been inherited. However, since not many children know much about diseases and especially cancer, it’s necessary for parents to step in and assume responsibility. As a result, every parent should pay attention to possible symptoms of colon cancer in children.

Bowel Movement Changes: One of the Symptoms of Colon Cancer in Children

Colon cancer symptoms in children may vary, depending on where the cancer cells appear. If the tumor forms in the lower part of the colon, then a child’s bowel habits will change. Diarrhea with more than two bowel movements a day can be a symptom, whereas constipation can indicate colon cancer as well. Sometimes, if the tumor is located right above the rectum, on the left side, rectal bleeding (also known as hematochezia) can appear. Melena, or black stools, are also a sign of danger, and appear when the tumor is located in the sigmoid colon.

Other Symptoms of Colon Cancer in Children

Pain can also indicate colorectal cancer. If a child is feeling abdominal pain or any type of stomach discomfort, he/she should be taken in for a check-up immediately. Sometimes, this symptom may appear together with stomach bloating or abdominal distention and can be extremely unpleasant. Pain during bowel movement or stomach noises are also colon cancer indicators. Another thing to monitor is a child’s weight. Sudden and unexplainable weight loss is often connected with this disease. Moreover, the loss of appetite and pale skin tone can also be colon cancer symptoms.

Screening and Cure Statistics

Apart from monitoring possible symptoms of colon cancer in children, parents should also take in children that are known to be predisposed for screening. Stool testing, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy is often performed to clear out colon cancer suspicions, but the latter two can be painful and unpleasant. It is worth keeping in mind that the most accurate test that can establish whether there are cancer cells in the colon is a tissue or fluid biopsy. Colorectal cancer can be completely cured with a 90% success rate if the disease is diagnosed during stage 0. As it advances, the chances decrease from 80% in stage 1, to 60% in stage 2 and to only 10%-20% in stage 3 and 4.

Apart from hereditary causes, children may also develop colon cancer if they suffer from ulcerative colitis, or if they have inherited other diseases from their relatives such as juvenile polyposis syndrome or Lynch syndrome. Colon cancer investigations should never be postponed because the tumor can spread fast and affect other organs. Bottom line is that, irrespectively of the cause, colon cancer in children is treatable if diagnosed early enough. In regards to preventative measures, it is important for parents to be knowledgeable on diets that are known to help cleanse the colon and keep it clean.