Early Symptoms and Manifestations of Colorectal Cancer
Disease description:
My colleague has been feeling very unwell recently, experiencing frequent stomach pain. He is worried it might be colorectal cancer. What are the early symptoms and manifestations of colorectal cancer?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Early symptoms and manifestations of colorectal cancer mainly include:
1. Changes in bowel habits: Patients may experience increased frequency of bowel movements, diarrhea, constipation, or alternating episodes of both.
2. Abdominal pain or discomfort: Unexplained abdominal pain, bloating, or discomfort, particularly noticeable after eating.
3. Weight loss: Due to abnormal intestinal function, patients may experience loss of appetite, leading to weight loss and a thinner physique.
4. Blood in the stool: The presence of bright red or dark red blood in the stool, or black-colored stools, which may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding.
5. Changes in stool appearance: Stools may become narrower, looser, or accompanied by mucus, blood, or pus.
6. Fatigue: Colorectal cancer can consume the body's energy, causing symptoms such as physical fatigue and pale complexion.
7. Anemia: Patients may develop anemia, presenting with symptoms such as pale complexion and fatigue, caused by iron loss due to intestinal bleeding.
If any of these symptoms occur, prompt medical evaluation is recommended.
