What are the early symptoms of rectal cancer

The early symptoms of rectal cancer mainly include frequent urge to defecate, changes in stool characteristics, blood in the stool, etc.

1. Frequent urge to defecate: In the early stage of rectal cancer, the abnormal growths at the lesion site stimulate the rectal sensory nerves, increasing the foreign body sensation in the intestines, causing the patient to experience incomplete defecation and frequent urge to defecate.

2. Changes in stool characteristics: Cancer cells in the rectum will gradually invade the rectal mucosa and rectal wall, affecting the physiological function of the rectum, leading to poor absorption of intestinal contents and the appearance of loose stools and other excrement. In addition, tumor cells may cause local swelling of the rectum, narrowing of the excrement passage, and the appearance of thin stools.

3. Blood in the stool: The intestinal lining of patients with rectal cancer has a brittle texture. As the tumor cells grow, they may rupture and bleed at any time. Blood residue can often be found in the stool, and even bloody stools may appear. Blood in the stool is one of the more common early symptoms of rectal cancer, and the blood is mostly dark red and mixed with the stool.

These symptoms are not specific to rectal cancer and may also be related to other intestinal diseases. If these symptoms occur, you should seek medical attention in time and undergo professional examinations to confirm the diagnosis.