What are the common symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Jun 27, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

During this period, I experienced severe abdominal pain and lost a significant amount of weight. After visiting the hospital for a checkup, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. What are the common symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Qi Zhirong
Common symptoms of colorectal cancer are generally divided into several categories: 1. Changes in bowel habits and stool characteristics, including increased frequency of defecation, diarrhea, constipation, or alternating diarrhea and constipation, as well as mucus in the stool, blood in the stool, or pus and blood in the stool. 2. Abdominal pain is also a common symptom of colorectal cancer, typically presenting as persistent dull pain or abdominal discomfort and a feeling of bloating. 3. Intestinal obstruction may occur in advanced stages of colorectal cancer, manifesting as abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and constipation. 4. An abdominal mass is also a notable sign of colorectal cancer; the mass is usually hard and nodular, commonly found in the right abdomen. 5. General symptoms such as anemia, weight loss, fatigue, and low-grade fever may also occur, typically caused by chronic blood loss, tumor ulceration, infection, or absorption of toxins. The above symptoms are common clinical manifestations in patients with colorectal cancer, but not all symptoms will appear simultaneously, and the severity of symptoms may vary among individuals.