Colon cancer, or as it is called the silent killer, is because it spreads slowly without showing any signs until it reaches its middle or final stages, or because its symptoms are similar to many diseases of the digestive system, such as stomach bacteria, ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome. So today, through the following article, we introduce you to the most important symptoms of colon cancer to differentiate it from other diseases, and what are its stages?
What is colon cancer
Colon cancer begins in the inner lining of the large intestine, known as the mucosa, which consists of cells responsible for secreting mucus or fluids to facilitate the passage of waste and stool into the rectum.
When these cells divide abnormally, this may lead to the formation of colon polyps, and over time these polyps become cancerous cells.
Colon cancer takes a long time to spread, so patients do not feel it for several years, and this may lead to it spreading to other places in the body through lymph nodes or blood vessels.
What are the symptoms of colon cancer at its beginning?
In the early stage of colon cancer, the symptoms are not quite obvious, but some possible symptoms may appear, for example:
- Changes in defecation habit, such as constipation, diarrhea, or alternating between them, along with a change in the shape of the stool itself.
- The presence of blood spots in the stool.
- Always feeling the need to defecate, even after the stomach has been completely emptied.
- Abdominal pain may come and go.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Feeling tired and general exhaustion.
The difference between colon cancer symptoms in men and women
Although colon cancer affects both women and men, there are a number of slight differences in the symptoms that men and women face. In general, The main symptoms of colon cancer They are similar for both sexes, and include changes in bowel habits such as frequent diarrhea or constipation, or the presence of blood in the stool, in addition to a feeling of incomplete elimination and weight loss for no reason. These symptoms also differ from one person to another, and they may overlap with symptoms of other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or problems with the digestive system.
Women may have greater difficulty in linking symptoms and disease, as they find them similar to menstrual symptoms or to some common conditions among women. This is why it is important to pay close attention when noticing changes, while not ignoring abnormal symptoms and consulting a doctor immediately to conduct the necessary examinations and diagnose the condition accurately.
Ignorance of simple symptoms may lead to late detection! Oncology center
What are the symptoms of colon cancer in its final and pre-stages?
Colon cancer symptoms are similar to many digestive system diseases, such as stomach ulcers andالقولون العصبيTherefore, it may be difficult to diagnose it except after conducting careful examinations and tests.
Symptoms depend on the size of the cancer and its location in the large intestine. Below we tell you the most common signs in the middle and final stages of colon cancer:
- The color of the stool changes to black or there is blood in it.
- Suffering from frequent and persistent bouts of constipation, diarrhea, or both, or a feeling of incomplete emptying.
- Recurring abdominal pain for no reason.
- Bloating and gas.
- Feeling nauseous or vomiting constantly.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Feeling unexplained and constant fatigue.
- Anemia, feeling short of breath, and noticing pale skin.
- Pain in the anus and rectum.
- The presence of a mass in the anus.
The difference between the symptoms of colon cancer and irritable bowel syndrome
Although the symptoms of colon cancer and irritable bowel syndrome may overlap due to their commonality in some points, there are some important differences that differentiate between each of them. Both colon cancer and irritable bowel syndrome cause a health problem in the intestines that varies between diarrhea and constipation. In addition, one patient feels bloating, gas, and pain in the abdomen, but among the symptoms of colon cancer are:
- It is the appearance of warning symptoms such as blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, extreme fatigue, and a change in the shape of the stool.
- As for irritable bowel syndrome, one of its symptoms is psychological stress, and it can get better or worse, but it is necessary to consult a doctor to diagnose the condition.
What are the stages of colon cancer?
There are five stages of colon cancer, developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer, and below we explain them to you in detail:
Stage 0: At this stage, abnormal or cancerous cells are present in the mucous membrane of the colon wall.
Stage 1: YThe cancer is located in the colon, but has not spread beyond the muscle layer or nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 2: The cancer has spread further into the stomach wall, but has not reached nearby lymph nodes. There are three types at this stage:
- Stage IIA: The cancer has spread to most of the inner colon wall, but has not reached the outer layer.
- Stage IIB: The cancer has spread to the outer layer of the colon wall.
- Stage IIC: Cancer has spread to one or more nearby organs.
Stage 3: At this stage, colon cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, and there are also 3 types:
- Stage IIIA: The cancer spreads to the first or second layer of the colon wall and grows in nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage IIIB: The cancer spreads to more layers of the colon wall, and grows in a number of nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage IIIC: Cancer is found in the outer layer of the colon wall and nearby lymph nodes, and may spread to one or more adjacent organs.
Stage 4: At this stage, the cancer has spread to other organs adjacent to the colon, such as: the liver, pancreas, stomach, ovaries, and uterus. There are also 3 types:
- Stage IVA: At this stage, the cancer has spread to one nearby organ, the lymph nodes distant from the colon.
- Stage IVB: The cancer spreads to several nearby organs or affects more distant lymph nodes.
- stage IVCAt this stage, cancer affects distant organs, lymph nodes, and abdominal tissues.
How can colon cancer be treated?
Surgery is the best and most common solution to control colon cancer, and there are several surgical procedures for this, such as:
- Removal of cancerous polyps or tumor masses from the colon.
- Removing the part of the colon that contains the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue, known as partial colectomy. The surgeon then reconnects the parts of the healthy colon, and this procedure is known as anastomosis.
- Removing the part of the colon that contains the tumor along with the healthy parts surrounding it, but the surgeon may not be able to reconnect the remaining parts of the colon. This procedure is known as surgical resection with colostomy, and here the doctor resorts to moving the intestine to an opening in the abdominal wall so that the stool is collected in an external bag.
- Radiofrequency ablation destroys cancer cells in the colon using radiofrequency heat.
There are other treatments that doctors use with surgery to prevent the spread of colon cancer or control it, and they include the following:
- chemotherapy, Several chemotherapy drugs are used to shrink tumors and relieve symptoms.
- targeted therapy, It uses antibodies created in Mukhtar to target ligands, proteins and tissues that help cancer cells grow and multiply, and is also known as monoclonal antibody therapy.
Factors that may increase the risk of colon cancer
There are many factors that increase the risk of colon cancer, the most prominent of which are the following:
- A poor diet, such as eating a diet that contains a low percentage of dietary fiber.
- Excessive consumption of red meat and processed meat increases the risk of infection.
- People who suffer from obesity are more at risk of developing colon cancer.
- Inactivity and sitting for long periods, and on the contrary, exercising reduce the risk of injury.
- Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
- Genetic factors and family history.
- Various health factors such as inflammatory bowel disease.
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كيفية الوقاية من سرطان القولون
To reduce the risk of colon cancer, it is important to follow a healthy, balanced diet, focusing on foods rich in dietary fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting the intake of red meat and processed meat. You must also maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and not consuming alcohol. It is important to perform regular routine colon cancer examinations after the age of fifty. By following these preventive measures, you can reduce the risk of colon cancer and maintain your health. It is important to consult and review your doctor to determine for you the appropriate plan to prevent colon cancer according to your condition.
Colon cancer diagnostic tests
Diagnosis of colon cancer at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital depends on several methods and tests, which are as follows:
- Physical examination, medical history, and knowledge of symptoms.
- Blood tests measure the level of CEA protein, which is elevated in some cases of colon cancer, and kidney and liver functions.
- Fecal occult blood test to detect blood in the stool.
- Stool DNA test to detect changes in the DNA of cells lining the colon.
- Colonoscopy, the use of a long tube equipped with a camera in the anus to examine the lining of the colon and rectum and take a tissue sample for examination.
- Sigmoidoscopy, similar to a colonoscopy but focuses on examining the lower part of the colon and rectum.
- X-ray imaging to see tumors in the colon.
- CT scan, to visualize the colon and other organs in the abdomen in detail to determine the spread of cancer cells.
- Magnetic resonance imaging, used in some cases to evaluate the extent of cancer cells.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know that colon cancer has spread?
Knowing the presence of the disease depends on a set of medical examinations conducted by the doctor, and there are no specific symptoms that conclusively indicate the spread of the disease. Despite this, there are a number of symptoms that indicate the possibility of the spread of colon cancer, which are:
- Feeling very tired and exhausted
- Losing weight suddenly for no reason,
- Cramps in areas other than the abdomen, such as the bones. This is why it is important to conduct the necessary medical tests to diagnose the condition, determine the extent of the disease, and determine the appropriate treatment plan.
How does colon cancer hurt?
Pain varies from one individual to another, and the symptoms of colon cancer pain may be similar from one person to another. The symptoms of pain can resemble many other conditions, and some individuals may not feel pain at all. There are those who feel dull or intermittent pain in the abdomen, and the pain is similar to the pain of abdominal cramps (colic). As the disease progresses, the pain becomes more severe and constant. It should be noted that abdominal pain is not the only symptom of colon cancer, but it is accompanied by a number of other different symptoms such as blood in the stool, or rapid and sudden weight loss without
How do I know I have cancer?
To find out whether you have cancer or not, in fact there is no specific answer, but the symptoms of cancer vary according to its type and where it has spread in the body, but there are some signs that can be called warning signs and they indicate the presence of a health problem that you have. You need to consult and review a doctor. The most prominent of these symptoms are constant fatigue, weight loss for no reason, the appearance of a mass or swelling, a change in bladder or bowel habits, abnormal bleeding, a persistent cough, and the appearance of ulcers that do not heal. When you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor.
What are the symptoms of cancer in general?
Symptoms of cancer vary according to the type of cancer and where it has spread in the body. In the early stages, no symptoms may appear. However, you may suffer from some different symptoms that indicate the presence of a health problem that you are suffering from that requires you to see a doctor. The most prominent of these symptoms is extreme fatigue, feeling constantly tired, and the appearance of a lump or swelling somewhere, along with abnormal bleeding or persistent coughing. It is important to note symptoms that may be due to causes other than cancer, which is why it is important to consult a doctor to accurately diagnose the condition.
What is the difference between colitis and colon cancer?
The main difference between colitis and colon cancer is that colitis is an inflammation of the colon lining that may be acute or chronic. Treatment includes anti-inflammatory medications and lifestyle changes. If the inflammation is severe, it may require surgical intervention.
While colon cancer is the presence of abnormal cells in the colon and is fatal, treatment depends on the stage of the cancer and requires chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy.
The symptoms of colitis may be very similar to the symptoms of colon cancer, but the golden solution for differentiation is diagnostic methods, especially colonoscopy and rectum, and taking a colon biopsy and examining it.
How do I know that I do not have colon cancer?
If no symptoms appear that require suspicion or concern, and you want to make sure that you do not have colon cancer, you should perform some diagnostic tests and periodic follow-up.
Increasing awareness and knowledge of the symptoms of colon cancer, especially the early symptoms, is important, especially if you have risk factors for infection, such as a family history of colon cancer.
Where is colon cancer pain?
The location of colon cancer pain varies depending on the location of the tumor in the colon, but in general the patient feels it in the abdominal or pelvic area, and is accompanied by bloating and gas.
In the end, we hope that you go immediately to an internist and gastroenterologist if you notice any of the symptoms of colon cancer mentioned in the article so that the doctor can diagnose the condition accurately by performing some examinations and blood tests, such as: testing tumor markers, analyzing a complete blood count, or using magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography (PET) to check for the presence of polyps or tumor masses in the colon.
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