What are the early symptoms of rectal cancer

Rectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the middle-aged and elderly. Due to the particularity of its onset, it is easy to be misdiagnosed clinically. Its early manifestations are introduced as follows:

The clinical features of early rectal cancer are mainly blood in the stool and changes in bowel habits. When the cancer is confined to the rectal mucosa, blood in the stool is the only early symptom in 85% of cases, but unfortunately it is often not taken seriously by patients. During the rectal examination, a mass can often be felt. In addition to the common systemic symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, and anemia, patients with middle and late rectal cancer also have local irritation symptoms such as increased bowel movements, incomplete bowel movements, frequent bowel movements, and tenesmus. The enlargement of the tumor can cause stenosis of the intestinal cavity and signs of intestinal obstruction. The tumor invades surrounding tissues and organs, which can cause symptoms such as difficulty urinating, frequent urination, and painful urination; it invades the presacral nerve plexus, causing pain in the sacrum and lumbar region; when it metastasizes to the liver, it causes hepatomegaly, ascites, jaundice, and even cachexia.

Abdominal distension, abdominal pain, constipation and other intestinal obstruction are also one of the early manifestations of rectal cancer. The absorption of food is mainly completed in the small intestine. By the time the food reaches the colon and even the rectum, it has become waste for excretion. After people chew their food, it passes through the small intestine first to the right colon, then to the left colon, and finally to the rectum. When the food residue reaches the right colon, some liquid is still not completely absorbed. At this time, the intestinal contents are liquid. Because the right colon is wider, obstruction rarely occurs. However, rectal cancer tumors often have the characteristics of secondary infection and chronic toxin absorption. Therefore, patients with right-sided colon cancer often have symptoms such as low-grade fever, night sweats, general fatigue, and anemia.

The rectum is at the end of the digestive tract. Early rectal cancer lesions are only on the intestinal mucosa and may have no obvious symptoms. However, as the condition gradually worsens, there may be local irritation symptoms of the tumor, which are manifested as an increase in the frequency of bowel movements, from the normal 1-2 times a day to 3-4 times or more, unformed stools, anal discomfort, a feeling of falling, sometimes dull abdominal pain, and sometimes blood and mucus in the stool.

The above are the common early symptoms of colorectal cancer. Experts remind everyone that when the above symptoms appear in the body, it means that it has entered the early stage of colorectal cancer. At this time, patients and their families should hurry up and ask doctors to develop a treatment plan suitable for them, and maintain a good attitude and build confidence in fighting cancer. Only in this way can the patient's survival period be extended and the quality of life be improved. If you have other questions, you can consult our online experts. I wish you health and happiness!

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