Symptoms of Colorectal Colon Cancer

Colorectal or colon cancer is basically the result of adenomatous polyps that develop in the colon. Colorectal cancer develops in and around the epithelial cells that line the gastrointestinal tract. The mutations in DNA sequences or DNA replication and/or DNA repair genes leads to cell division that is unrestricted in nature. Though most of the growths are generally benign, some do develop a cancerous nature over a period of time. The diagnosis of this type of cancer is possible only via colonoscopy, in the localized region. The treatment options, like in the case of most cancers involves surgery and dedicated chemotherapy.

Symptoms of Colorectal Colon Cancer

The symptoms of colorectal colon cancer manifest in the form of local, constitutional and metastatic nature. The symptoms largely depend on:

• Location of tumor.
• Metastasis or extent of spread.

The symptoms are largely diagnosed and treated according to the lapse in time with regards to the first diagnosis of the condition, the effect of the cancerous growth on the rest of the body and the region claimed by the deadly cancer cells.

Local Symptoms

Local symptoms manifest more if the tumor is close to the anus. The signs and symptoms include:

• Change in bowel habit.
• Tenesmus or feeling of insufficient defecation.
• Change in stool shape.
• Lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Increased mucus in stool.
• Melena or black stool.
• Bowel obstruction.
• Abdominal pain and distension.
• Vomiting.
• Blood or air in the urine.
• Vaginal discharge or invasion of the female reproductive tract.

Constitutional Symptoms

The constitutional symptoms in the case of colorectal colon cancer include:

• Iron deficiency anemia.
• Fatigue and palpitations.
• Paleness of skin.
• Sudden weight loss due to decreased appetite.
• Unexplained fever.
• Deep vein thrombosis.

Metastatic Symptoms

Colorectal colon cancer metastatic signs and symptoms include:

• Jaundice.
• Abdominal pain.
• Biliary obstruction and pale stools.

Colorectal colon cancer brings on exposure to considerable risk, as far as health issues are concerned. The risk factor increases with age and a medical history of the condition. Though the removal of the polyps within and around the colon through colonoscopy reduces risk, it takes more than just that to eliminate the extent of damage or the possibility of recurrence.

Research reveals that women who have a history of cancer of the uterus or ovary or breast cancer are more likely to develop colorectal colon cancer. A family history of colon or colorectal cancer usually manifests in the form of familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer or Lynch syndrome, if left undetected.

Smoking is known to aggravate the condition and increase the likelihood of developing the cancer. The other aggravating factors include the consumption of red meat and a diet that is devoid or low in fresh vegetables and fruits. Research reveals that regular consumption of fish and a diet high in fiber decreases the risk of colorectal cancer.

The other triggers that worsen the condition include:

• Physical inactivity.
• Exposure to strains of human papilloma virus.
• Low selenium levels.
• Untreated inflammatory bowel disease.
• Alcohol abuse.

The treatment options that are now explored to cure colorectal colon cancer include:

• Endoscopic imagery.
• Digital rectal examination or DRE.
• Fecal occult blood tests that are guaiac-based and/ or immunochemical.
• Sigmoidoscopy to detect polyps and related abnormalities.
• Colonoscopy.
• Biopsy.

Colorectal colon cancer is treated only after dedicated staging to determine the extent of penetration of the cancerous cells. This screening for staging helps to determine the best treatment method and eliminate the possibility of distant metastasis. However, the staging can only be done post-surgery.