Various Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer and How to Recognize It

In the previous article, we discuss all the basics about Bladder Cancer. So, in this article, let’s dig deep and discuss the Various Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer and How to Recognize It.

Tumors in the colon or rectum are caused by cells in the colon or rectum growing out of control, which results in the development of colorectal cancer. Sometimes, the phrase “colon cancer” will refer to this type of sickness. The colon, also known as the large intestine or the large bowel, is a portion of the digestive tract in the lower abdomen. The rectum is a canal that connects the colon to the anus and is also known as the colonic canal.

The presence of polyps, which are abnormal growths that can develop in the colon or the rectum, is possible. Over time, certain polyps may progress to become malignant tumors. Because of the availability of screening tests, polyps can be identified and treated before they progress to cancer. A routine colorectal cancer screening program also helps to discover the disease at an earlier stage, when treatment is most effective.

Symptoms of Colorectal cancer

Even though colorectal cancer may not express itself with symptoms right away, if it progresses, it may manifest itself with one or more of the following signs and symptoms:

• Changing bowel patterns lasting more than a few days, such as diarrhea, constipation, or a narrowing of the stool, is considered a medical emergency.
• Being unable to be relieved by having a bowel movement while having the strong desire to do so
• There is rectal bleeding when there is bright crimson blood.
• It is possible to have blood in the feces, which will result in the stool being dark brown or black in appearance.
• In many cases, cramping and abdominal (belly) discomfort are experienced.
• Weakness and exhaustion are frequent symptoms.
• It was not thought that I would lose so much weight.

Colon malignancies are known to often seep into the digestive tract, and this is a common occurrence. Blood can occasionally be noticed in the feces, and the stool may look darker as a result of the blood, but most of the time, the stool appears to be completely normal. However, over time, blood loss can build, leading to a reduction in the number of red blood cells in the body (anemia). The existence of colorectal cancer can sometimes be detected by a low red blood cell count on a blood test, which is the first sign to present.

There are several signs and symptoms of cancer spreading to the liver in certain people, including a large liver felt during an exam, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes), and trouble breathing caused by cancer spreading to the lungs.

Infections, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome are just a few of the conditions that, in addition to colorectal cancer, can produce many of these symptoms. What’s more, if you’re suffering from any of these symptoms, it’s vital that you see your doctor as soon as possible so that the underlying cause may be determined and treated, if required.

How to Recognize Colorectal Cancer

Following are the investigations to detect colorectal cancer.

Blood tests

Aside from that, your doctor may order particular blood tests to help determine whether or not you have colorectal cancer. These tests can also be conducted if you have been diagnosed with cancer to help your doctor track the evolution of your disease.

The fact that the tumor has been bleeding for a prolonged length of time causes some people who have colon cancer to become anemic.

A blood test to check your liver enzyme levels may also be performed as part of your colon cancer treatment due to the possibility of colon cancer spreading to the liver.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy procedures can be conducted in various venues, including a hospital outpatient department, a clinic, or a doctor’s office, among others.

Additional information regarding Colonoscopy may be found at Colonoscopy, including how it is performed and what to expect if you are scheduled for one.

Proctoscopy

It may be necessary to do this test if there is a strong suspicion of rectal cancer. During this technique, the proctoscope, which is a narrow, rigid, lighted tube with a tiny video camera connected to the end, is used to inspect the inside of the rectum with a bit of video camera attached to the end. It is introduced into the system through the anus. The doctor can get a close look at the rectum lining, which is located on the inside of the body, using a scope to examine it. With this technology, it can see and measure the tumor and determine its exact location. By way of example, a doctor can determine how close the tumor is to the sphincter muscles, which are responsible for regulating the movement of excrement through the body.

Biopsy

After any screening or diagnostic test has found a suspected colorectal cancer, an endoscopic colonoscopy is frequently performed to obtain a biopsy. A biopsy is a technique in which the doctor extracts a small piece of tissue with the help of a unique tool that is passed via an optical scope. Depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary to surgically remove a section of the colon to make the diagnosis. Biopsies are used to diagnose cancer in a variety of ways. Learn more about the many types of biopsies, how tissue is used in the laboratory to diagnose cancer, and what the results may indicate in Testing Biopsy and Cytology Specimens for Cancer.

CT Scan

A CT scan is an imaging treatment in which x-rays are used to make detailed cross-sectional images of your inside organs. This test makes it possible to assess whether colorectal cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or whether it has spread to other organs such as the liver, lungs, or other parts of the body.

This approach may also be utilized for needle biopsy guided by a CT scan if a liver or lung biopsy is necessary to assess whether cancer has spread. The CT scan can guide a biopsy needle into the mass (lump) to get a tissue sample that will be evaluated for malignancy.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a technology that uses sound waves and their echoes to generate images of the inside of the body. It is used to diagnose and treat patients. This procedure uses a transducer, a small microphone-like piece of equipment that generates sound waves and picks up echoes as they bounce off of inside organs. A computer application converts the echoes into an image that can be viewed on a computer display screen.

During this examination, a technician will use an ultrasound transducer to slide the transducer over the skin of your belly, examining the organ. Although this type of ultrasound may be used to check for tumors in your liver, gallbladder, pancreas, or anyplace else in your abdomen, this type of ultrasound cannot screen for tumors in the colon or rectal area.

This test is carried out using a specialized transducer, an endorectal ultrasound probe inserted into the rectum. An ultrasound examination of the rectal wall is performed to identify how a tumor has progressed through the wall and whether it has moved to surround organs of lymphatic nodes.

Chest X-ray

After colon cancer has been diagnosed, a chest x-ray may be taken to assess if the illness has spread to the lungs; however, a CT scan is more usually used since it offers more detailed pictures of the lung cancer.

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