Colon Cancer Symptoms

Colon cancer, or cancer of the colon or rectum is also called colorectal cancer. In the United States, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men, after skin, prostate, and lung cancer. It is also the fourth most common cancer in women, after skin, lung, and breast cancer. Scientists are studying colorectal cancer to learn more about it. They are finding out more about its causes and are exploring new ways to prevent, detect, and treat it. This research is increasing our knowledge about colorectal cancer.

While the cause of colon cancer is not known, there are some who believe it is partially caused by the increasingly poor diets found in industrialized nations. Because of very low dietary fiber intakes, bowel movements are less frequent and toxins and materials which should be expelled are instead reabsorbed through the intestinal walls or the rotting materials directly damage the cells of the intestines.

Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body.

Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die, and new cells take their place.

Sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.

Colorectal Cancer

Cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer, and cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Cancers affecting either of these organs may also be called colorectal cancer.

When colorectal cancer spreads outside the colon or rectum, cancer cells are often found in nearby lymph nodes. If cancer cells have reached these nodes, they may also have spread to other lymph nodes, the liver, or other organs.

When cancer spreads (metastasizes) from its original place to another part of the body, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the primary tumor. For example, if colorectal cancer spreads to the liver, the cancer cells in the liver are actually colorectal cancer cells. The disease is metastatic colorectal cancer, not liver cancer. It is treated as colorectal cancer, not liver cancer. Doctors sometimes call the new tumor "distant" or metastatic disease.

Listing of Possible Colon Cancer Symptoms

Common symptoms of colorectal cancer include:

• A change in bowel habits
• Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
• Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool
• Stools that are narrower than usual
• General abdominal discomfort (frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, and/or cramps)
• Weight loss with no known reason
• Constant tiredness
• Nausea and vomiting
   

Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer. Other health problems can cause the same symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor so that any problem can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.