ccc
Understanding Colorectal Cancer - Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer?
In its early stage, colorectal cancer usually produces no symptoms. The most likely warning signs include:
Changes in bowel movements, including persistent constipation or diarrhea, a feeling of not being able to empty the bowel completely, or rectal bleeding
Dark patches of blood in or on stool; or long, thin, "pencil stools"
Abdominal discomfort or bloating
Unexplained fatigue, or loss of appetite or weight
Call Your Doctor About Colorectal Cancer If:
You notice a change in your bowel movements, experience bleeding from the rectum, or notice blood in or on your stool. Don't assume you have hemorrhoids; your doctor will most likely perform a rectal examination and possibly a sigmoidoscopy or schedule a colonoscopy -- an examination that involves a long flexible tube inserted in your rectum.
You experience persistent abdominal pain, unusual weight loss, or fatigue. These symptoms may be due to other causes, but they could also be linked to cancer.
You are diagnosed with anemia. In determining its cause, your doctor should check for bleeding from the digestive tract because of colorectal cancer.
Often times, colon cancer has no symptoms, but this quick, handy guide to the main symptoms of colon cancer can help you know what to look for.
Types:
Staging Colon and Rectal Cancer
After undergoing many tests, you have finally been given your diagnosis. But, what does it mean when your doctor says you have stage I colon cancer or stage III rectal cancer? The following information will help you understand your diagnosis better.
Stages of Colorectal Cancer
Colon and rectal cancer are staged according to how far they have spread through the walls of the colon and rectum and whether they have spread to other parts of the body. This staging process allows doctors to determine the best treatments for the particular cancer. It also allows them to determine if the cancer is getting better with treatment or not responding.
Staging Colon Cancer
Stage 0
Stage 0 cancer of the colon is very early cancer. The cancer is found only in the innermost lining of the colon.
Learn more about treatments for stage 0 colon cancer.
Stage I
Also called Dukes A colon cancer, the cancer has spread beyond the innermost lining of the colon to the second and third layers and involves the inside wall of the colon. The cancer has not spread to the outer wall of the colon or outside the colon.
Learn more about treatments for stage I colon cancer.
Stage II
Also called Dukes B colon cancer, the tumor extends through the muscular wall of the colon, but there is no cancer in the lymph nodes (small structures that are found throughout the body that produce and store cells that fight infection).
Learn more about treatments for stage II colon cancer.
Stage III
Also called Dukes C colon cancer, the cancer has spread outside the colon to one or more lymph nodes (small structures that are found throughout the body that produce and store cells that fight infection).
Learn more about treatments for stage III colon cancer.
Stage IV
Also called Dukes D colon cancer, the cancer has spread outside the colon to other parts of the body, such as the liver or the lungs. The tumor can be any size and may or may not include affected lymph nodes (small structures that are found throughout the body that produce and store cells that fight infection).
What Are the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer?
In its early stage, colorectal cancer usually produces no symptoms. The most likely warning signs include:
Changes in bowel movements, including persistent constipation or diarrhea, a feeling of not being able to empty the bowel completely, or rectal bleeding
Dark patches of blood in or on stool; or long, thin, "pencil stools"
Abdominal discomfort or bloating
Unexplained fatigue, or loss of appetite or weight
Call Your Doctor About Colorectal Cancer If:
You notice a change in your bowel movements, experience bleeding from the rectum, or notice blood in or on your stool. Don't assume you have hemorrhoids; your doctor will most likely perform a rectal examination and possibly a sigmoidoscopy or schedule a colonoscopy -- an examination that involves a long flexible tube inserted in your rectum.
You experience persistent abdominal pain, unusual weight loss, or fatigue. These symptoms may be due to other causes, but they could also be linked to cancer.
You are diagnosed with anemia. In determining its cause, your doctor should check for bleeding from the digestive tract because of colorectal cancer.
Often times, colon cancer has no symptoms, but this quick, handy guide to the main symptoms of colon cancer can help you know what to look for.
Types:
Staging Colon and Rectal Cancer
After undergoing many tests, you have finally been given your diagnosis. But, what does it mean when your doctor says you have stage I colon cancer or stage III rectal cancer? The following information will help you understand your diagnosis better.
Stages of Colorectal Cancer
Colon and rectal cancer are staged according to how far they have spread through the walls of the colon and rectum and whether they have spread to other parts of the body. This staging process allows doctors to determine the best treatments for the particular cancer. It also allows them to determine if the cancer is getting better with treatment or not responding.
Staging Colon Cancer
Stage 0
Stage 0 cancer of the colon is very early cancer. The cancer is found only in the innermost lining of the colon.
Learn more about treatments for stage 0 colon cancer.
Stage I
Also called Dukes A colon cancer, the cancer has spread beyond the innermost lining of the colon to the second and third layers and involves the inside wall of the colon. The cancer has not spread to the outer wall of the colon or outside the colon.
Learn more about treatments for stage I colon cancer.
Stage II
Also called Dukes B colon cancer, the tumor extends through the muscular wall of the colon, but there is no cancer in the lymph nodes (small structures that are found throughout the body that produce and store cells that fight infection).
Learn more about treatments for stage II colon cancer.
Stage III
Also called Dukes C colon cancer, the cancer has spread outside the colon to one or more lymph nodes (small structures that are found throughout the body that produce and store cells that fight infection).
Learn more about treatments for stage III colon cancer.
Stage IV
Also called Dukes D colon cancer, the cancer has spread outside the colon to other parts of the body, such as the liver or the lungs. The tumor can be any size and may or may not include affected lymph nodes (small structures that are found throughout the body that produce and store cells that fight infection).
ccc
No comments:
Post a Comment