Rectal cancer left iliac pain

Left iliac pain caused by rectal cancer may be related to bone metastasis of cancer or local nerve compression. The main causes include direct spread of the tumor, metastasis of cancer cells to the iliac bone or surrounding tissues, and the resulting inflammation and nerve compression. In this case, it is necessary to seek medical attention as soon as possible, identify the cause through imaging examinations and pathological diagnosis, and take targeted treatment.

1Why does rectal cancer cause left iliac pain?

A common cause of iliac pain caused by rectal cancer is bone metastasis, which is a common phenomenon in the late stage of cancer. When cancer cells spread through the blood or lymphatic system, the iliac bone and other parts are easy to become metastasis targets because of their rich blood supply. Cancer cells that metastasize to the bones will destroy normal bone tissue and cause pain. At the same time, the tumor may compress the nerves. For example, when the sciatic nerve around the left iliac bone is compressed, it will manifest as local pain or even radiating pain. Inflammatory factors may also increase local pain.

2How to diagnose and identify the cause of pain

The first step is a comprehensive medical evaluation, including a physical examination, blood tumor marker testing, imaging tests such as X-rays, CT or MRI, bone scans, and biopsy of suspicious tissue. Imaging tests can help determine whether there is bone invasion or metastasis, while tumor marker testing can assess the activity of the cancer. For example, an elevated CEA carcinoembryonic antigen level may indicate disease progression.

3 Targeted treatment methods

The appropriate treatment should be chosen based on the cause of the pain:

Drug treatment: For cancer pain, the three-step analgesic principle is often used. Mild pain can be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen; moderate pain can be treated with weak opioids such as codeine; severe pain requires strong opioids such as morphine, combined with auxiliary analgesics such as gabapentin.

Radiation therapy: If the pain is caused by bone metastases, local radiation therapy can reduce bone destruction, relieve pain, and improve the structural stability of the bone.

Surgical treatment: For patients with significant local damage to the ilium or threatened by pathological fractures, surgical fixation or removal of part of the metastatic tumor lesions can be considered based on the evaluation to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

4Assisted living management and nutritional support

Supportive treatment for cancer patients is equally important. Supplementing a diet high in protein, calcium, and vitamin D can help maintain bone health and prevent osteoporosis from exacerbating pain. At the same time, appropriate gentle activities can help promote blood circulation, but it is necessary to avoid increasing the burden on bones.

Left iliac pain caused by rectal cancer indicates that the patient may be in the progressive stage of the disease and needs to see a doctor as soon as possible to identify the specific cause of the pain and take targeted treatment. With the help of a professional medical team, the patient's quality of life can be effectively improved and symptoms can be alleviated.