What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Some individuals with colorectal cancer (colon cancer) have no symptoms, while other do. Symptoms of colorectal cancer may resemble other conditions, so always consult your physician if you experience any of the following:

- A change in bowel habits, such as constipation, diarrhea, frequency of bowel movements, or narrowing of the stool that continues for more than a few days
- Rectal bleeding or traces of blood in the stool
- Stomach pain, cramping, or stomach discomfort
- Fatigue and weakness
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Jaundice (yellow-colored skin or eyes)
- Enlarged abdomen
- Feeling of discomfort in the pelvic area

The majority of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) initially present to medical attention with complaints of bleeding or pain. Some patients complain to their doctors of general fatigue or tiredness and are found to be anemic, due to slow, long-term blood loss into the bowel which sometimes can't be seen in the stool. The symptoms of colon cancer may depend on the location of the primary tumor within the specific area of the colon. Patients who have locally advanced disease at the outset may complain of pain with bowel movements or difficulty passing their stools due to mechanical obstruction by the tumor.

The first sign of colon cancer is traces of blood found in the stool. As the cancer grows symptoms of changing bowel habits occur usually constipation. abdominal pain is associated with signs of obstruction. If not treated early it will spread and then numerous systemic symptoms can occur.

Colon cancer shows up in the tissues of the colon, while rectal cancer shows up in the tissues of the rectum. Worried you might have it? Symptoms to look out for include bloody stools; cramping, bloating, and gas pains; abdominal pain; diarrhea or constipation; chronic fatigue; and other symptoms of anemia (due to intestinal bleeding).

Precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer don't always cause symptoms, especially at first. You could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why having a screening test is so important. Symptoms for colorectal cancer may include:

• Blood in or on the stool (bowel movement).
• Stomach pain, aches or cramps that do not go away.
• Losing weight and you don't know why.

These symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer. If you're having any of these symptoms, the only way to know what is causing them is to see your doctor.

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Some people who have metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer do not have any symptoms for some time. When symptoms do appear, the most common ones are:

• A change in bowel habits, such as narrow stools or frequent diarrhea or constipation.
• Blood in the stool, or stools that look like black tar.
• Loss of appetite.
• Pain in the belly.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Constant tiredness (fatigue).

If your cancer has spread, you may have other symptoms, depending on where the cancer is. If it has spread to:

• The lymph nodes of your abdomen, it may cause bloating, a swollen belly, loss of appetite or a feeling of fullness.
• The liver, it may cause pain on the upper right side of your abdomen, bloating, loss of appetite or a feeling of fullness.
• The lungs, it may cause coughing, spitting up blood or a hard time breathing.
• The bones, it may cause bone pain, especially in the back, hips and pelvis.
• The brain, it may cause problems with memory, concentration, balance or movement.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer in both men and women, with an estimated 143,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Early on, colon cancer causes no symptoms. Later, its symptoms can be similar to those of inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) -- abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas pains, and a change in bowel patterns. In addition, blood in the stool or rectal bleeding is often present. Advanced cancer is likely to cause bloody bowel movements, severe constipation if the intestine is obstructed, and weight loss. Thus, it's vital to get checked without delay should these symptoms occur.

The good news is that most cases of colon cancer can be prevented through screening. Almost all precancerous growths (polyps) can be spotted and removed during a colonoscopy. Early-stage, localized colon cancers are curable by surgery in 90% of cases.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer include a recent change in bowel habits, blood in the stool, weight loss, fatigue, anemia and abdominal pain. People with colorectal cancer may have any combination of the above symptoms or have no symptoms at all. Often, early stages of colorectal cancer can be detected with screening colonoscopy before the person ever experiences any symptoms. The symptoms of colorectal cancer can be vague and could be due to another medical condition, so it is always wise to check with your primary care doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.