stage 1 colon cancer symptoms

Symptoms

What are the signs of terminal stage 4 colon cancer? Fatigue, weight loss, bloody stool, constipation, or pencil-like stool are symptoms of stage 4 colon cancer. At stage 4, colon cancer has spread to other parts of the body, usually the liver, lungs, or lining of the abdomen.

Causes

Stage I cancers have a survival rate of 80-95 percent. Stage II tumors have survival rates ranging from 55 to 80 percent. A stage III colon cancer has about a 40 percent chance of cure and a patient with a stage IV tumor has only a 10 percent chance of a cure.

Prevention

• A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days
• A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by having one
• Rectal bleeding with bright red blood
• Blood in the stool, which might make it look dark brown or black
• Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain

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Complications

How long will a person with stage 4 colon cancer live?

• Diagnosis. A doctor may recommend multiple tests to accurately diagnose colon cancer. ...
• Decisions. Anyone who receives a stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis will have to make some decisions about the way forward, particularly regarding treatment options.
• Treatment options. ...
• Outlook. ...
• Summary. ...

What are the signs of end stage colon cancer?

What is the survival rate of Stage 1 colon cancer?

How to spot early symptoms of colon cancer?

What is the life expectancy of someone with colon cancer?

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Is colon cancer curable at stage 1?

Stage I colon cancer is confined to the lining of the colon, does not penetrate the wall of the colon into the abdominal cavity, and has not spread to any adjacent organs or local lymph nodes. Approximately 90% of patients are cured with surgery alone and will not experience a cancer recurrence.

What are usually the first symptoms of colon?

Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely. General abdominal discomfort, such as frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness and/or cramps. Constant feeling of fatigue or tiredness.22-Jan-2021

How does colon cancer start?

In general, colon cancer begins when healthy cells in the colon develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains a set of instructions that tell a cell what to do. Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way to keep your body functioning normally.11-Jun-2021

How early does colon cancer need to be detected?

Doctors generally recommend that people with an average risk of colon cancer begin screening around age 50. But people with an increased risk, such as those with a family history of colon cancer or African-American heritage, should consider screening sooner.11-Jun-2021

What does colon pain feel like?

For example, some may have general abdominal pain, while others may feel pain in a specific spot. People may also feel pain in the area of the rectum, just above the anus. This pain may feel sharp and stabbing or dull and achy.18-Nov-2019

What are the signs of bowel problems?

What are common symptoms of bowel disorders?discomfort or pain in your abdomen.gas and abdominal bloating.nausea.diarrhea.constipation.vomiting.

Does colon cancer cause back pain?

Cancers of the stomach, colon, and rectum can all cause lower back pain. This pain radiates from the cancer site to the lower back. A person with these cancer types may have other symptoms, such as sudden weight loss or blood in their stool.03-Jul-2019

Can you feel colon cancer lump?

Through screening tests, colon cancer can be detected before symptoms develop. This is when the cancer is most curable. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and press on your belly area. The physical exam rarely shows any problems, although the doctor may feel a lump (mass) in the abdomen.

How does colon cancer affect bowel movements?

Colorectal cancer might not cause symptoms right away, but if it does, it may cause one or more of these symptoms: A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days. A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that's not relieved by having one.29-Jun-2020

How long after colon cancer diagnosis is surgery?

The median time from diagnosis to surgery was 25 days. Approximately 18.1% of the sample had surgery within 10 days of diagnosis, and 10.4% had surgery within 41 to 50 days of colon cancer diagnosis.

Is colorectal cancer curable?

Cancer of the colon is a highly treatable and often curable disease when localized to the bowel. Surgery is the primary form of treatment and results in cure in approximately 50% of the patients.21-Jan-2022

How important is colon cancer screening?

Regular screening is one of the most important ways to prevent colorectal cancer. If polyps are found during colorectal cancer testing, they can usually be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening can also help find cancer early, when it's smaller and might be easier to treat.05-Feb-2021

How do you know if you have colon cancer?

When signs and symptoms do occur, the following are some of the most typical signs of colon cancer: A persistent change in bowel habits. Narrow or pencil-thin stools. Diarrhea or constipation. Blood in the stool, rectal bleeding (blood may appear as bright red blood or dark stools)

What is the difference between stage 3 and 4 colon cancer?

Stage 3 colon cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the area or to other organs in the area. Stage 4 colon cancer is metastatic colon cancer. It has spread away from the colon to other parts of the body such as the liver, bones, or lungs. The term Stage 0 is sometimes used for a very early cancer that only affects the lining of the intestine.

How many stages of colon cancer are there?

Share Your Story. The stages of colon cancer refer to the extent of spread of the cancer at the time that it is identified. There are 4 main stages of colon cancer, referred to as stages 1-4. Stage 1 colon cancer has spread from the lining of the large intestine into the muscular wall of the large intestine.

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer (bowel cancer) is a malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer.

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a diagnostic procedure to evaluate the health of the colon and rectum. A colonoscopy is done with a colonoscope, a tube with a camera and surgical tools. The doctor can view the the colon, sample tissue for biopsy, or remove polyps.

What is the cause of cancer deaths?

Colorectal cancer (colon cancer) is the cause of many cancer deaths. Learn about the warning signs, symptoms, screening process, stages, and treatment related to colorectal cancer.

Where does colon cancer start?

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells lining the large intestine (colon); some researchers include the rectum and prefer the term colorectal cancer. There are over 101,000 new cases of colon cancer every year in the U.S. Colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. for both men and women.

How long does colorectal cancer last?

A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days. Often colorectal cancer doesn’t cause symptoms until it has grown or spread. That’s why it’s best to be tested for colorectal cancer before ever having any symptoms.

Why is it important to be tested for colorectal cancer?

That’s why it’s best to be tested for colorectal cancer before ever having any symptoms. Colorectal cancer that’s found early through screening, before you have symptoms, might be easier to treat. Screening can even prevent some colorectal cancers by finding and removing pre-cancerous growths called polyps.

Why does my stool look dark brown?

Blood in the stool, which might make it look dark brown or black. Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain. Weakness and fatigue. Losing weight without trying. Often colorectal cancer doesn’t cause symptoms until it has grown or spread. That’s why it’s best to be tested for colorectal cancer before ever having any symptoms.

What is the best way to test for cancer?

CT scans can also be used to help do a biopsy and can show if the cancer has spread. Ultrasound: For this test, a small wand is moved around on your skin. It gives off sound waves and picks up the echoes as they bounce off tissues. The echoes are made into a picture on a computer screen.

What to do if you have colorectal cancer?

If you have symptoms that might be caused by colorectal cancer or if a screening test shows something not normal, your doctor will want to do more testing to find the cause. Your doctor will ask about your medical history to learn about possible risk factors, including check for symptoms and. It's important to know your family history.

What happens if you have colon cancer?

What happens if I have colorectal cancer? If you have colon or rectal cancer, treatment depends on which type of cancer it is , how big it is, and whether it has spread. Treatment may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy. Many people get more than one type of treatment.

What are echoes used for?

The echoes are made into a picture on a computer screen. It’s used to help find cancer and see if it has spread. Gene and protein tests: The cancer cells in the biopsy tissue might be tested for genes or proteins such as KRAS, BRAF, MMR and MSI.

What is the stage 1 colon cancer?

Stage 1 colon cancer indicates the cancer has grown into the inner layer of the colon, called the mucosa, to the next layer of the colon, called the submucosa. It hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes.

How do you know if you have colon cancer?

At later stages, symptoms tend to vary based on tumor size and location in your large intestine. These symptoms can include: change in bowel habits. blood in stool or rectal bleeding.

What is the difference between a primary tumor and a regional lymph node?

Primary tumor (T). Primary tumor refers to how large the original tumor is and whether cancer has grown into the wall of the colon or spread to nearby areas. Regional lymph nodes (N). Regional lymph nodes refer to whether cancer cells have spread to nearby lymph nodes.

What tests are needed to determine if a colon cancer is spread?

Diagnostic tests performed may include imaging of the abdomen, liver, and chest with CT scans, X-rays, or MRI scans.

What to do if you test positive for colorectal cancer?

If after taking a FIT test or a sigmoidoscopy you test positive for colorectal cancer, your healthcare provider will suggest a colonoscopy to confirm your diagnosis. A colonoscopy is a screening test where the doctor uses a long, narrow tube with a small camera attached to view the inside of your colon.

What is the best treatment for colon cancer?

Surgery is often the only treatment needed for stage 0 colon cancer. Stage 1. Surgery alone is recommended for stage 1 colon cancer.

What is the most advanced stage of colon cancer?

4A stage. This stage indicates that cancer has spread to one distant site, such as the liver or lungs. 4B stage. This most advanced stage of colon cancer indicates cancer has spread to two or more distant sites, such as the lungs and liver.

What is the final part of the digestive tract?

The colon is the final part of the digestive tract. Colon cancer typically affects older adults, though it can happen at any age. It usually begins as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called polyps that form on the inside of the colon. Over time some of these polyps can become colon cancers.

What are the most common inherited diseases that increase the risk of colon cancer?

The most common inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk are familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome , which is also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Family history of colon cancer.

What are the risk factors for colon cancer?

Risk factors. Factors that may increase your risk of colon cancer include: Older age. Colon cancer can be diagnosed at any age, but a majority of people with colon cancer are older than 50. The rates of colon cancer in people younger than 50 have been increasing, but doctors aren't sure why. African-American race.

How to reduce the risk of colon cancer?

Take steps to: Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, which may play a role in cancer prevention.

What does it feel like to have colon cancer?

A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely. Weakness or fatigue. Unexplained weight loss. Many people with colon cancer experience no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms appear, they'll likely vary, depending on the cancer's size and location in your large intestine.

How do you know if you have colon cancer?

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include: A persistent change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool. Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool. Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain. A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely.

Can colon polyps turn into cancer?

Over time some of these polyps can become colon cancers. Polyps may be small and produce few, if any, symptoms. For this reason, doctors recommend regular screening tests to help prevent colon cancer by identifying and removing polyps before they turn into cancer.

What is the stage of colon cancer?

Stage 1. The cancer has penetrated the lining, or mucosa, of the colon or rectum and may have grown into the muscle layer. It hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes or to other parts of the body. Stage 2.

What is the earliest stage of colorectal cancer?

Stage 0 colorectal cancer is the earliest stage, and stage 4 is the most advanced stage: Stage 0. Also known as carcinoma in situ, in this stage abnormal cells are only in the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Stage 1.

What is the procedure to check for colorectal cancer?

Colonoscopy. A colonoscopy involves the use of a long tube with a small camera attached. This procedure allows your doctor to see inside your colon and rectum to check for anything unusual. It’s usually performed after less invasive screening tests indicate that you might have colorectal cancer.

How long does colon cancer last?

According to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in 2015, the average survival time for stage 4 colon cancer was around 30 months. In the 1990s, the average was 6 to 8 months.

What are the factors that increase the risk of colon cancer?

Your chances of developing this cancer increase after you reach the age of 50. Some other fixed risk factors are: a prior history of colon polyps. a prior history of bowel diseases.

How do you know if you have colorectal cancer?

In addition to the above symptoms, you might also experience: excessive fatigue. unexplained weakness. unintentional weight loss. changes in your stool that last longer than a month. a feeling that your bowels won’t completely empty.

How many people will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime?

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that about 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women will develop colorectal cancer during their lifetime. Your doctor may use staging as a guideline to figure out how far along the cancer is.

Pre-stage colon cancer symptoms in women

There may be several symptoms patients experience while in stage 1 colorectal cancer. Some of them may be very strange and painful. The pain depends on the size of the tumor, place, and body sensitivity to the pain. Below, we are listing some of the symptoms one with colorectal cancer may experience in the initial stage:

Post-stage colon cancer symptoms in women

When patients ignore the early-stage colon cancer symptoms and let them grow metastasize, they can experience several symptoms that can be extremely painful. Some of the symptoms are mentioned below:

What does colon cancer pain feel like

Most people who have colorectal cancer do not feel any signs in the early stages of the disease. The moment signs appear, they may fluctuate based on the size and place of cancer in your colon. Refer to the colon cancer stool pictures on our website.

What causes colon cancer

Estimating if and when colorectal cancer will develop is impossible, but evaluating because of high-risk factors can safeguard lives. Prior detection via screening can prevent colorectal cancer and keep it at a curable stage. Some of the potential risk factors are:

Conclusion

On the bottom line, we would like to introduce you to the best solution that will help you fight colorectal cancer. University Cancer Centers is one of the most trusted private facilities that offer the most accurate answers and treatments for colon or most often known as colorectal cancer.

What is stage 1 colon cancer?

Stage I colon cancers have grown deeper into the layers of the colon wall, but they have not spread outside the colon wall itself or into the nearby lymph nodes. Stage I includes cancers that were part of a polyp. If the polyp is removed completely during colonoscopy, with no cancer cells at the edges (margins) ...

Where does stage IV colon cancer spread?

Stage IV colon cancers have spread from the colon to distant organs and tissues. Colon cancer most often spreads to the liver, but it can also spread to other places like the lungs, brain, peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), or to distant lymph nodes. In most cases surgery is unlikely to cure these cancers.

Can you get chemotherapy after colon cancer surgery?

This would mean having surgery to remove the section of the colon containing the cancer along with nearby lymph nodes, plus surgery to remove the areas of cancer spread. Chemo is typically given after surgery, as well. In some cases, hepatic artery infusion may be used if the cancer has spread to the liver.

What does it mean when cancer comes back?

Recurrent cancer means that the cancer has come back after treatment. The recurrence may be local (near the area of the initial tumor), or it may be in distant organs.

What is the cancer in the colon?

The cancer had blocked (obstructed) the colon. The cancer caused a perforation (hole) in the wall of the colon.

Does stage 3 colon cancer spread to other parts of the body?

Stage III colon cancers have spread to nearby lymph nodes, but they have not yet spread to other parts of the body. Surgery to remove the section of the colon with the cancer (partial colectomy) along with nearby lymph nodes, followed by adjuvant chemo is the standard treatment for this stage. For chemo, either the FOLFOX (5-FU, leucovorin, ...

Can colon cancer spread to lymph nodes?

Many stage II colon cancers have grown through the wall of the colon, and maybe into nearby tissue, but they have not spread to the lymph nodes. Surgery to remove the section of the colon containing the cancer (partial colectomy) along with nearby lymph nodes may be the only treatment needed. But your doctor may recommend adjuvant chemotherapy ...

How long does it take for colon cancer to go to stage 4?

This is why a stage 1 colon cancer tumor can seemingly zip in no time to stage 4 – though, as Dr. Sengupta mentioned, it typically takes years, barring Lynch syndrome. Though millions of Americans do not have medical insurance and don’t want to pay out of pocket for the procedure, many more who are insured are just plain afraid of it.

Is colon cancer a death sentence?

Stage 1 colon cancer has a very good prognosis, and stage 4 is pretty much a death sentence. How long does it take to go from stage 1 to stage 4?