How to check for rectal cancer metastasis

Most early stage rectal cancers are asymptomatic. When the disease develops to a certain extent, there will be changes in bowel habits, bloody stools, bloody and purulent stools, tenesmus, constipation, diarrhea, etc. The stools gradually become thinner. In the late stage, there will be defecation obstruction, weight loss, and even cachexia. When the surrounding tissues such as the bladder, urethra, and vagina are invaded, there will be symptoms of urinary tract irritation, fecal discharge from the vagina, pain in the sacrum and perineum, and lower limb edema.

How to check for colorectal cancer metastasis? To understand whether there is metastasis to the lungs, pleura, mediastinal lymph nodes, etc., it is recommended that patients with colorectal cancer undergo a chest CT or chest X-ray examination to confirm. If the patient's body can tolerate the surgery and there is no metastasis, it is generally best to undergo surgery. If surgery is not possible, it is recommended that the patient receive conservative treatment combined with biological therapy, which will have a better effect.

Rectal cancer postoperative care precautions:

(1) There is no need to abstain from food excessively. Try to eat regularly and in fixed amounts, as long as you ensure a balanced diet. However, when trying a new food, it is best not to eat too much at one time. If there is no adverse reaction, eat more next time. Rectal cancer patients should eat more easily digestible foods, avoid irritating and hard foods, and reduce the use of condiments.

(2) There are many foods that can help patients recover and prevent relapse. For example, boiled congee with red beans and coix seed can clear away heat and promote diuresis, disperse blood and detoxify. Fresh purple amaranth has the effects of clearing heat, cooling blood and dispersing blood stasis. It can be made into vegetable congee to help restore physical strength. Walnuts and lotus seeds can warm the kidneys and strengthen the spleen, thicken the intestines and stop diarrhea. Decoction of astragalus, codonopsis and licorice can also replenish qi and nourish blood.

(3) When the sutures of the surgical incision have been removed and the incision has completely healed, you can take a bath, either in a tub or in the shower. Wear soft, loose, elastic clothing made of natural fabrics such as cotton and linen, and do not tie your belt too tight.

(4) Moderate exercise, such as walking, doing radio gymnastics, and practicing Tai Chi, can promote physical recovery, promote metabolism, and increase immunity. Exercise every day to maintain a healthy body, and people with stomas are no exception. Choose some exercise that you can do based on your preoperative hobbies and physical tolerance, but avoid strenuous exercise, such as boxing and weightlifting.

(5) Whether before or after surgery, it is very important for patients with rectal cancer to observe changes in bowel movements. First of all, you should develop good bowel habits, that is, have bowel movements at regular times every day, and do not wait until the stool is too dry and hard. Dry and hard stools will make defecation difficult and cause too much toxin to accumulate in the intestines, which will also affect the recovery of postoperative wounds.

(6) If there is a recurrence, there is no need to be too nervous. If the general condition is good, there is no ascites, no distant metastasis, and imaging technology suggests that it is a localized lesion, then it can be treated with another surgery, and the chances of resection are higher.

(7) Although rectal cancer that has recurred after radical resection can be treated with re-surgery, it still requires close monitoring to avoid missing the opportunity for re-surgery. Therefore, regular postoperative check-ups should be performed every 4 to 6 months, and close follow-up should be performed for at least 2 years, after which the interval can be appropriately extended.