Beware of possible early symptoms of colon cancer

Colon cancer refers to malignant lesions of the colon mucosal epithelium caused by multiple carcinogenic factors such as environmental or genetic factors. The incidence rate is highest in the 40 to 60 age group. There are approximately 8 million new cases worldwide each year, accounting for 10% to 15% of all malignant tumors.

Colon cancer has an insidious onset, often without obvious clinical manifestations in the early stages, and develops slowly. By the time obvious symptoms appear, it is usually in the middle or late stages. Its mortality rate ranks third among malignant tumors in my country, second only to lung cancer and liver cancer. Therefore, sufficient attention should be paid to some early clinical manifestations that may be colon cancer, so as not to miss the precious opportunity for treatment.

Positive fecal occult blood

Occult blood in routine stool examination is often the earliest symptom of colon cancer. At this time, the stool is no different from normal stool when observed with the naked eye, and it cannot be confirmed under the microscope in laboratory examination. At this time, gastrointestinal bleeding can only be detected by chemical methods, and the daily bleeding volume is generally about 5ml.

Changes in stool characteristics

As colon cancer develops further, blood in the stool can be seen, which is the most prominent early manifestation of colon cancer. In addition, dysentery-like pus and blood in the stool can be seen. When space-occupying lesions appear in the intestine, the stool shape will become thinner.

Changes in bowel movement patterns

In addition to changes in stool quality, bowel movement patterns can also be affected by cancer. In the case of right-sided colon cancer, the early symptoms are thin stools and increased bowel movement frequency. When the tumor grows and affects the passage of stool, alternating diarrhea and constipation may occur. In contrast, left-sided colon cancer often presents as difficulty in defecation, which worsens as the cancer progresses.

stomach ache

Abdominal pain is also a common nonspecific symptom in the early stage of this disease, which is more common in the right colon. It is manifested as dull pain in the right abdomen, or referred pain in the right upper and middle upper abdomen. Because the lesion can enhance gastrointestinal reflexes, the abdominal pain worsens after meals. When complicated with intestinal obstruction, it can manifest as worsening pain or paroxysmal colic.