Early Symptoms and Manifestations of Colorectal Cancer
Disease description:
I have an elderly family member who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. I would like to ask about the early symptoms and manifestations of colorectal cancer.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Early symptoms and manifestations of colorectal cancer are usually subtle, and common early signs include:
1. Changes in bowel habits: Patients may experience increased frequency of bowel movements, diarrhea, constipation, or alternating episodes of constipation and diarrhea. This is one of the most common early symptoms of colorectal cancer and should raise concern.
2. Changes in stool appearance: Stools may become narrower, flatter, or grooved, sometimes appearing mushy or loose. Some patients may also experience blood in the stool, pus and blood in the stool, or mucus-filled stools, which are all signals of intestinal disease.
3. Abdominal pain: Patients may feel dull or distending pain, commonly located in the lower or middle abdomen. The pain may intensify when a tumor within the intestine compresses or irritates the intestinal nerves.
4. Weight loss and fatigue: Due to intestinal dysfunction and energy consumption caused by the tumor, patients may experience symptoms such as loss of appetite and indigestion, leading to weight loss, thinness, and fatigue.
5. Abdominal mass: Some patients may detect an abdominal mass in the early stages, which is usually caused by significant tumor growth within the intestine.
If any of the above symptoms appear and persist, prompt medical evaluation is recommended.
