Stage IV colon cancer is cancer of the colon, which has spread to other organs in the body. Patients diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer have low survival rate--only 20 to 30 percent. Patients diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer also experience many symptoms common to colon cancer patients, such as rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, fatigue, anemia, diarrhea, nausea, tenesmus and obstruction, according to a 2004 article published in "American Journal of Gastroenterology."
Pain
Patients with stage IV colon cancer may experience bone pain as the cancer has metastasized to the bone. Pain in the bone tends to be severe and localized, according to "Clinical Oncology."
Headache
Patients with stage IV colon cancer may experience severe headache when the cancer has spread to the brain, according to Clinical Oncology. Patients also may have seizures and unsteadiness.
Weight Loss
Unexpected weight loss of more than 10 percent is often observed in patients diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer, according to a 2004 article published in the journal "Family Practice."
Other Symptoms
If the lungs are affected, patients may experience shortness of breath. If the liver is involved, patients may experience jaundice or abdominal swelling. The most common symptoms of colon cancer are rectal bleeding (occurring in 58 percent of patients) and anemia (occurring in 52 percent of patients), according to "American Journal of Gastroenterology".
References
- "Family Practice", Diagnosis of colorectal cancer in primary care: the evidence base for guidelines., Hamilton W, Sharp D.,2004 Feb; 21(1):99-106.
- "Clinical Oncology", Abeloff et al., 2007, Elsevier
- "American Journal of Gastroenterology", How does colorectal cancer present? symptoms, duration, and clues to location, Majumdar et al., 2004, Volume 94 Issue 10, Pages 3039 - 3045
