Symptoms of colon cancer

Early stage colon cancer usually has no obvious symptoms, but there are mild discomfort, indigestion and occult blood in the stool. The clinical manifestations of mid- and late-stage colon cancer are generally changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, digestive tract lesions, abdominal masses, etc.

1. Changes in bowel habits: The growth of tumor cells in the large intestine of colorectal cancer patients will hinder the discharge of feces. Generally speaking, patients will regard the early symptoms of colon cancer as ordinary constipation, especially left-sided colon cancer and rectal cancer.

2. Bloody stool: Continuous stool and chronic mucus and blood in the stool, occasionally only some mucus or blood is discharged. Especially for rectal cancer, about 80% are accompanied by blood in the stool or mucus and blood in the stool.

3. Digestive tract symptoms: abdominal distension, dull pain, discomfort, and indigestion. Especially for right-sided colon cancer, the symptoms are intermittent in the early stage and gradually become persistent, just like chronic appendicitis with right lower abdominal pain. Patients with left-sided colon cancer generally have colic, abdominal distension, hyperperistalsis, constipation, blood in the stool, etc.

4. Abdominal mass: The mass in patients with colon cancer is hard and irregular in shape. More than half of patients with colon cancer will have an abdominal mass.

The symptoms of colon cancer are closely related to the location of the lesion, age, and pathological type of the patient. It is usually recommended to develop good habits, maintain a good mood, and seek medical attention in a timely manner if you feel any discomfort.