Stool changes, such as blood in the stool and looser, more frequent stools, can be caused by colon cancer. Examples of these changes include blood in the stool. People who have colon cancer may have a wide variety of symptoms, one of which is abdominal pain.
In addition to being associated with colon cancer, these symptoms are also associated with a variety of other gastrointestinal conditions. Keep in mind that some people with colon cancer may not display any symptoms at all, and that they may have feces that appear normal and healthy. This is another important fact to keep in mind.
The connection between colon cancer and bowel movements will be discussed in this post, along with the symptoms that should be observed and the actions that should be taken if you have any suspicions that you may have colon cancer.
Cancer of the colon and feces: the early warning signs
In the early stages of colon cancer, one of the early signs is a change in the bowel motions or stool characteristics. The stools that are associated with colon cancer may have a thinner appearance and may be different from the stools that are expected in terms of color and consistency.
When compared to other symptoms, unexplained changes in the look or movement of stools should certainly raise more worries regarding colon cancer. This is especially true if the symptoms remain or multiply over time.
There are a few modest symptoms that can be observed in the early stages of colon cancer, including the following:
Narrow stools, sometimes known as “pencil” feces, are brought on by the constriction of the intestinal channel that occurs as the tumor begins to grow.
Pain that occurs during feces is a symptom that is frequently connected with rectal cancer. This condition is sometimes referred to as dyschezia.
One who experiences the sensation of being unable to evacuate their bowels: It is also known as tenesmus, and it is frequently observed in patients with early-stage rectal cancer.
Bleeding from the rectal part: Rectal cancer and cancer of the lower colon are more likely to be affected by this.
The ache in the abdomen: Visceral nociceptors are the pain receptors that are triggered when localized inflammation is present.
The development of anemia, the loss of red blood cells, and the bleeding of the digestive tract are all factors that contribute to fatigue.
The Variations in Poop Caused by Regional Colon Cancer
In the third stage of colon cancer, the cancer has progressed to lymph nodes in the surrounding area. As the tumor begins to develop into deeper layers of the intestinal tissues and the lumen of the intestinal tract continues to constrict, changes in bowel habits and excrement tend to become more evident. This is because the lumen of the intestinal tract is the part of the intestinal tract that is being constrained.
In many cases, the advancement of colon cancer might be indicated by the other symptoms listed below:
Increasing intestinal blockage is a contributing factor in the development of constipation.
A partial obstruction in the digestive tract can cause diarrhea, which is characterized by an overflow of intestinal fluid.
Having alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation: A further indication that the patient has colon cancer
The presence of blood in the stool is referred to as hematochezia. The color of the stool may be brilliant red if the tumor is located close to the rectum, or it may be dark red or maroon if it is located farther up in the colon.
I am Tenesmus. There is a possibility that this will take place while colon cancer continues to progress due to the ongoing and growing inflammation.
cramping and bloating in the abdominal region: This is in part because when the bowel is clogged, it is impossible to pass gas.
Signs and symptoms of an iron deficiency Anemia is a syndrome that affects around 48 percent of persons who have colon cancer .
Scar tissue and strictures can eventually lead to obstruction of the bowel for a variety of reasons, including partial or complete obstruction. Even while it may not always be seen in the feces themselves, bleeding is often more severe than other types of bleeding.
Changes in the Poop of Patients with Advanced Colon Cancer
A feature of stage 4 colon cancer is the spread of the cancer to distant organs, which is widely referred to as metastasis. This stage of cancer, which is the most advanced, may display more evident signs as the intestinal blockage and bleeding continue to further progress.
It is possible that the poop will appear dark and thick at this time. This condition, which is also known as melena, exhibits itself more commonly in cases of cancer that is located on the right side of the body. The reaction takes place when oxygen and hemoglobin in the blood interact with one another during the lengthy journey that the blood takes to reach the rectum.
Other symptoms may include the following:
Feeling sick and throwing up: Typically observed as the occlusion grows increasingly severe
Loss of weight for no apparent reason: The loss of appetite, as well as the loss of muscle and weight, is a common consequence of advanced cancer, which brings about systemic inflammation.
By causing the tissues to become unduly stressed and eventually rupturing, bowel perforation is a condition that can occur on occasion. There is a possibility that other symptoms will manifest themselves when the disease has advanced to other common metastases, such as the liver, the chest, or the bone.
However, not everyone who has stage 4 colon cancer will suffer symptoms, even though they are more prevalent in those who have the disease. If there is no obstruction, perforation, or bleeding, it is possible that many patients who have metastatic colon cancer may not experience any symptoms at all.
The color of your stool movements, the contents of your bowel movements, and the frequency of your bowel movements may all vary as a result of colon cancer. Some instances of these changes include that there is blood in the stool, that the stool is flat or narrow, that there is diarrhea, and that there are more frequent bowel movements. In its final phases, poop can become thick and completely black in color.
Additionally, changes in bowel patterns and the consistency of feces might be brought on by other gastrointestinal illnesses. Even if these symptoms do not necessarily point to the presence of cancer, you should nevertheless get them checked out by a hospital or other medical practitioner. The likelihood of successfully curing colon cancer is high if it is diagnosed in its early stages.