Colon cancer, also known as large bowel cancer comprises of dangerous mushroom-shaped cancerous growths in parts like the rectum, colon and appendix. It is one of the most common forms of cancer and is a major cause of male cancer-related deaths every year.
There are various signs and symptoms of colon cancer and they depend on where the cancerous tumor is located in the bowel and whether or not it has spread to other areas in the body. Most of the symptoms of colon cancer are non-specific and might also occur when person has some other disease, thus it becomes difficult to diagnose sometimes. Also, the patient might have colon cancer for quite a few months before the symptoms develop.
For better understanding, signs of colon cancer can be divided into, local symptoms- where symptoms persists in some local areas only, constitutional symptoms- that have an effect on the whole body in one way or the other and last but not the least, metastatic- these symptoms are caused by spreading of cancer to other organs of the body.
Local symptoms are likely if the cancerous tumor is near the anus. Sometimes, change in bowel habits might be observed and the patient can get diarrhea or constipation. If the cancer is affecting the rectum, then a change in stool shape for instance, change in the diameter of the stool might be observed along with tenesmus (i.e. a feeling of unfinished defecation). Presence of blood in the stool and increased mucus are also a pointer of colon cancer.
The symptoms in some cases may also include vomiting, abdominal pain, cramps or bloating and weakness. These symptoms indicate cancer of the left colon. Certain symptoms of the disease are observed when it has become more advanced. For instance, a doctor could perhaps feel a tumor on physical examination of the stomach. Other symptoms may include blood in the urinal or vaginal discharge.
Constitutional symptoms include anemia (iron deficiency) which could lead to weakness, tiredness and palpitations. Weight loss and a reduced appetite and fever are also observed. Anemia can be caused in the cancer patients due to slow but constant blood loss over extended period of time through stool or vaginal discharge.
Metastical symptoms i.e. symptoms that are caused due to spreading of cancer in other organs of the body consists of pale stools accompanied by jaundice. This is because the cancer generally spreads to the liver.
