The National Cancer Institute estimates that colon and rectal cancer will account for over 140,000 new cancer cases and more than 50,000 deaths in the United States in 2010. While colon cancer commonly responds to cancer treatment, especially if diagnosed early, colon cancer patients have a risk of redeveloping cancer in the months or years after treatment. Early diagnosis of colon cancer recurrence increases the efficacy of cancer treatment, and understanding the signs and symptoms of colon cancer recurrence can aid in early diagnosis.
High CEA Levels
A common early symptom of colon cancer recurrence is an increase in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in the blood, according to NetWellness, a website run by the University of Cincinnati. In colon cancers, CEA is a protein found in high concentrations. During cancer progression, the tumor cells secrete CEA into the bloodstream, so abnormally high levels of CEA in the blood can indicate the presence of colon cancer. Colon cancer survivors typically undergo regular CEA monitoring, since an elevated CEA level may indicate the colon cancer has redeveloped. Following an abnormally high CEA test, a patient must undergo medical testing to further investigate and assess the possibility of colon cancer recurrence.
Bloody Stool
A possible sign of colon cancer recurrence is the development of bloody stool. When the colon cancer recurs, cancer cells from the new tumor seek out and destroy neighboring healthy tissue to provide more room for tumor growth. As a result, the colon and rectum begin to bleed, leading to blood in the stool. The Merck website indicates that this bleeding is often slow and may require a stool test to detect blood; other patients may pass stool streaked with blood. Colon cancer survivors should also check for bleeding during and after bowel movements, as any bleeding from the rectum may be a sign of cancer recurrence. Noticeable rectal bleeding or bloody stool requires immediate medical attention to assess the health of the colon and rectum and address the possibility of cancer recurrence.
Jaundice
Colon cancer may recur in another organ or tissue in the body. This is called distant recurrence, and it may develop when colon cancer cells that migrated away from the initial tumor were not killed by the initial cancer treatment. Colon cancer commonly spreads to the liver and causes liver damage, according to MedlinePlus. Colon cancer growth in the liver can block the flow of bile salts between the liver and the gallbladder, causing the salts to be released into the bloodstream. When this occurs, the salts deposit in tissues throughout the body and, due to the color of the salts, lend a yellow tint to the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice. The development of jaundice may indicate the presence of advanced colon cancer growth in the liver; immediate medical attention is required.
