Colon cancer is one of the major cancers in the United States. There are roughly 100,000 new cases of colon cancer in the United States every year, according to the American Cancer Society. Roughly 45,000 patients will die of colon cancer every year. Patients with final stage colon cancer (also known as stage IV colon cancer) have the lowest survival rate among colon cancer patients.
Pain
Patients with final stage colon cancer may experience pain in the bone, as the cancer has spread to the bone. Patients may experience pain in the back or in the rib. Pain tends to be localized and continuous. In some cases, patients may suffer from bone fracture due to metastatic colon cancer in the bone.
If the cancer has spread to the brain, patients may experience severe headache, blurred vision, dizziness, confusion and disorientation. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to scan the brain and to determine the extent of the tumor in the head.
Jaundice (yellowing of skin), fever, loss of appetite, swelling of the leg or abdominal pain may indicate that the liver has been affected.
Weight Loss
Patients with final stage colon cancer may experience losing weight of 10 percent or more, according to a 2004 review published in "Family Practice." Weight loss is also an indication of metastatic cancer in the liver.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is an indication that the cancer has spread to the lung. Other indications of metastatic colon cancer in the lung include chest pain, cough and cough producing bloody sputum.
Other Symptoms
Patients may observe bubbles in the urine (pneumateria). This is the sign that the cancer affects the bladder.
Patients with final stage colon cancer might also have symptoms that are common to colon cancer, such as rectal bleeding, constipation, fatigue, anemia, obstruction and diarrhea, according to a 2004 review published in "American Journal of Gastroenterology." Roughly 50 to 70 percent of colon cancer patients experience rectal bleeding and changes in bowel habit. These symptoms are fairly common even among healthy people. However, if you are older than 50, you should consult your physician about colon cancer testing if these symptoms persist for long time.
Some symptoms of colon cancer might indicate where the cancer is located. Anemia and fatigue tend to be associated with cancer in the right side of the colon. Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pains, obstruction, cramps and bloating tend to be associated with cancer in the left side of the colon, according to "Clinical Oncology."
