Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a cancer that begins in the colon, or large intestine, or the rectum, reports MedlinePlus, a National Institutes of Health website. Only cancers that start within the tissues of the colon are considered to be colon cancer. Colon cancer can be very dangerous, but early diagnosis can help prevent complications. Recognizing the symptoms of colon cancer can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Abdominal Pain
Pain in the stomach, or abdomen, can be a symptom of colon cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The pain can be described as a deep ache akin to a bad cramp. The pain persists for a long period of time and usually cannot be successfully treated with regular pain-relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. The pain is initially mild, and may go unnoticed. However, as the cancerous lesions grow larger, the pain worsens. Chronic, persistent abdominal pain should prompt patients to seek medical consultation.
Presence of Blood in Stool
Colon cancer may cause blood to be found within the patient’s stool, states MayoClinic.com. The amount of blood found within the stool ranges from microscopic to large amounts. The amount of blood usually corresponds to how much damage the cancer has caused to the tissues of the large intestine. However, even patients with minimal amounts of blood in the stool can be suffering from advanced forms of colon cancer. As the cancer invades the tissues of the colon, it damages the organ. The damaged tissues begin to bleed and the blood is excreted along with the patient's stool. The presence of blood within the stool indicates the need for medical assistance.
Diarrhea or Constipation
Patients suffering from colon cancer can develop diarrhea or constipation, notes MedlinePlus. This change in bowel habits occurs over a long period of time and can distress the patient once it is noticed. Colon cancer causes this symptom by obstructing and damaging the large intestine. Constipation is diagnosed when the patient is unable to defecate for at least three days, while diarrhea is the production of loose, watery stools three or more times per day.
Weight Loss
Sudden and unexplained weight loss can often be a symptom of colorectal cancer. As the cancer grows, it uses up the energy stored in the body. Large amounts of energy are stored in the fat, or adipose, tissues of the body. The cancer uses the energy in these tissues, and this causes a significant depletion in fat tissue within the body.
