Early symptoms and signs of rectal cancer

The rectum is also an important part of the human gastrointestinal digestive system. The main function of the rectum is to absorb excess water in the stool. However, if a person has an irregular diet or irregular bowel movements for a long time, it may cause proctitis, and if proctitis is not treated in time, it will cause rectal ulcers. Rectal ulcers can cause rectal cancer, so what are the early symptoms and precursors of rectal cancer?

Early symptoms of rectal cancer

1. Early symptoms of rectal cancer: blood in the stool

Blood in the stool is the most common symptom of rectal cancer, but it is easy to be mistaken for hemorrhoids and delay treatment. Blood in the stool caused by rectal cancer is mostly red or dark red, and may be purulent and bloody, sometimes accompanied by blood clots or necrotic tissue. Many patients tend to think that blood in the stool and foreign body sensation in the anus are caused by hemorrhoids when there is no obvious cause, ignoring the possibility of cancer.

2. Early symptoms of rectal cancer 2: changes in bowel habits

Changes in bowel habits are also a common symptom of rectal cancer. Cancerous masses and their secretions can irritate the intestines, causing frequent bowel movements and a feeling of incomplete bowel movements. Diarrhea will increase in the morning and even affect your sleep at night, changing your bowel habits.

3. Early symptoms of rectal cancer: intestinal stenosis and obstruction

As the tumor grows, it is easy to cause obstruction. Rectal ampulla cancer is mostly ulcerative, and the ampulla is relatively wide. It is estimated that it will take about 1 to 2 years for stricture obstruction to occur. The stool will become thinner, defecation will be difficult, constipation will occur, abdominal discomfort, bloating and pain will occur. Due to the accumulation of feces, a cord-like mass can be felt in the upper part of the obstructed sigmoid colon, and sometimes in the left lower abdomen.

4. Early symptoms of rectal cancer: anal pain and anal incontinence

If the cancer of the lower rectum infiltrates the anal canal, it may cause local pain. If it involves the anal sphincter, it may cause anal incontinence, with pus and blood often flowing out and contaminating underwear. If the cancer becomes infected or metastatic, it may cause enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes.