Colon cancer is typically slow-growing, starting as a benign polyp that eventually becomes malignant. This process may occur over many years without producing any symptoms. Once colon cancer has developed, it may still be years before it is detected.
Rectal bleeding is the most obvious colon cancer symptom, but there are other, more subtle signs, like learning you're anemic. It may be the first sign that you're bleeding internally. Other signs are you can't catch your breath, you feel bloated or crampy and you have severe constipation.
The results showed the median survival of patients to be 24 months (range 16–42). One-year survival was found to be 65% while the 2-year survival was found to be 25%. A satisfactory quality of life was also observed.
In most cases, colon and rectal cancers grow slowly over many years. Most of those cancers start as a growth called a polyp. Taking out a polyp early may keep it from turning into cancer.
Signs and symptoms
The 3 main symptoms of bowel cancer are blood in the stools (faeces), changes in bowel habit – such as more frequent, looser stools – and abdominal (tummy) pain. However, these symptoms are very common and most people with them do not have bowel cancer.
Stage IV colon cancer has a relative 5-year survival rate of about 14%. This means that about 14% of people with stage IV colon cancer are likely to still be alive 5 years after they are diagnosed. But you're not a number. No one, including your doctor, can tell you exactly how long you'll live.
There is some overlap between "stage IV" and "end-stage." Typically, stage IV is when the cancer has spread through the body, away from its original site. End-stage is when the cancer is no longer considered curable.
30% of CRC diagnoses are under age 55. The risk of colorectal cancer increases with age; 90% of cases are diagnosed in individuals 50 years of age and older.
Stage I Colon Cancer is a tumor that affects the inner layer of the colon. Stage I Colon Cancer symptoms include stomach pain, diarrhea and weight loss. Symptoms also include bloody stool or blood in your stool.
Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths are called polyps. Some types of polyps can change into cancer over time (usually many years), but not all polyps become cancer. The chance of a polyp turning into cancer depends on the type of polyp it is.
Sometimes, a tumour can block the bowel, causing sudden strong pains in the stomach area, bloating and feeling or being sick. This is called a bowel obstruction. You may also be unable to empty your bowels or pass wind.
Persistent abdominal discomfort
You may also feel full, bloated, or like your bowel is not completely empty. Nausea and vomiting can also be symptoms.
Unexplained abdominal pain: The pain associated with a growing tumor may come and go. It can feel like gas, burning or a nagging discomfort. Even if the pain doesn't double you over, if it persists for several weeks, you should talk to your doctor about it, Dr. Del Rosario says.
Colon cancer can cause changes in the color, consistency, and frequency of your poop. These changes can include blood in the stool, narrow stools, more frequent bowel movements, and diarrhea. In advanced stages, poop may become black and tarry.
Stage 3 colon cancer occurs when a primary tumor develops in the colon and impacts nearby lymph tissue. It may cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, blood in stool, changes in bowel habits, fatigue, and weight loss. The diagnosis requires multiple tests, including CT scans, colonoscopy, and a biopsy.
Colon cancer most often spreads to the liver, but it can also spread to other places like the lungs, brain, peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), or to distant lymph nodes. In most cases surgery is unlikely to cure these cancers.
The most common places for bowel cancer to spread are: the liver. the lungs.
Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. If there are symptoms, the following may indicate colon cancer: Abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen.
Cancer of the colon is a highly treatable and often curable disease when localized to the bowel. Surgery is the primary form of treatment and results in cure in approximately 50% of patients. However, recurrence following surgery is a major problem and is often the ultimate cause of death.
Colorectal cancer is very treatable and does not require an aggressive treatment plan, but that doesn't mean this disease should be taken lightly. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.
Symptoms of stage 4 cancer mainly depend on which organs are affected, though there may be no symptoms at all.