Last Updated: 24th July, 2022
Colorectal-Rectal cancer or colon cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancer types, the symptoms of which can be diagnosed in different ways. Listed below are the most widely reported symptoms of the disease, which should never be overlooked. So, if you notice any of them, there is no time to wait.
This does not necessarily mean that you have cancer, because the symptoms may be associated with other diseases. However, it is better to undergo a series of tests to find out whether you need medical help or not. Thus, the most common Colorectal-Rectal cancer or colon cancer symptoms include:
Colorectal-Rectal Cancer Or Colon Cancer Symptoms
- Bleeding from in the rectum and blood in the stool or even on the undergarments (by either the way, most people incorrectly associate all such symptoms with hemorrhoids and waste valuable time that can save their lives).
- Tarry stools or black stool, which would be regularly observed (the bad part is that blood in just the stool might not be so apparent and that if the tumor is in the isolated parts of the colon, the blood may be digested, that causing the black color of the stool).
- Low hemoglobin levels in the blood, which is the sign of the organism’s continuous hidden bleeding.
- Debilitating dizziness, continual weight loss, fatigue, loss of consciousness.
- Diarrhea, constipation or the feeling of insufficiency bowel movement.
- Bowel obstruction, which mostly develops, when the tumor is large enough and would not make it possible the usual colon functioning. These circumstances simply can not really be left unreported and with each passing day, a medical situation gets worse. The symptoms of bowel obstruction include repeated bloating, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, abdominal pain, intentionally sticking belly (or parts of it), narrow or lace-like stool, transition of regular abdominal motion, feeling of inadequate abdominal evacuation, etc.
- The consultants point out that if the average duration of all these symptoms is estimated 2 weeks. This would be the time a person needs to realize that within the organism, something weird is going on and seek medical attention immediately.
Colon Cancer Diagnosis And Treatment
Before diagnosing Colorectal-Rectal cancer or colon cancer, a doctor recommends a patient to undergo a series of analyzes and medical tests. These include:
- Blood, urine and stool tests may be prescribed.
- Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT).
- Digital or physical rectal exam.
- Colonoscopy, which would be a compulsory endoscopic test usually performed using sedative medicines and demonstrates what is happening inside of the colon and can diagnose the presence and precise location of the tumor, polyps or any other problems.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy required to investigate the rectum, colon and their lower parts.
- Computed tomography colonography in routine clinical practice.
- Anti-contrast enema of barium followed by an X-ray process.
If you have been diagnosed with Colorectal-Rectal cancer or colon cancer on time, you need to figure around as much as possible for all possible options of treating colon cancer which is the most safe and effective for your particular instance. As of today, these treatment methods are as follows:
- Surgical intervention, which entails removing the affected part of the colon.
- Chemotherapy, which follows the operation and may help to prevent the disease from developing further when the tumor has damaged the lymph nodes.
- Radioactive treatment, which also follows the surgery and is especially effective in the treatment of patients suffering from rectal cancer. The procedure is not quite as effective, when it comes to cure the patients with Colorectal-Rectal cancer or colon cancer.
- In cases of the Colorectal-Rectal type of the disease, doctors may decide to create a permanent or temporary colostomy. Although the latter subtype is a temporary measure that is necessary after the surgery to reinstate the colon’s functioning, the perpetual colostomy might well remain for an entire life, that triggering many problems and stresses. The decision depends upon the type, location and stage of Colorectal-Rectal cancer or colon cancer you have, the treatment and the prognoses of oncologists.
Anyways, your doctor will do everything possible to help you get rid of the disease and resume your previous lifestyle. However, you will have to see your oncologist and undergo a series of tests and procedures on a regular basis to prevent the development of the new forms of the disease.
