Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third deadliest type of cancer for both men and women in the United States.

Since many people do not have symptoms at first, it is essential to get routine screening tests, including a colonoscopy or test for blood in the stool. People over 50 years of age are at higher risk of developing colon cancer. One in three people who have an increased risk for colon cancer have never been screened. The good news is if it is found in the early stages before it spreads to other parts of the body, the five-year survival rate is 90%. When colon cancer spreads, the survival rate decreases dramatically.

Watch out for these signs and symptoms:

Bloody stool
Bowel movement changes that persist, such as constipation, diarrhea, or stool consistency
Feeling like the bowel didn't empty all the way
Cramping, gas, or abdominal pain
Fatigue or feeling weak
Unexpected weight loss

Symptoms in females are similar to symptoms in males. For women who menstruate, signs of tiredness and abdominal cramping from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or endometriosis can be mistaken for colon cancer symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider if you have concerns.

Your symptoms may vary depending on the cancer size, location in the colon, and stage of cancer.

Stages of colon cancer

Stage 0 and stage 1: Early stages

Stage 0 colon cancer can start on the colon's inner lining, called the mucosa, where cancer cells damage the DNA of healthy colon cells. The damaged cancer cells continue to grow and divide abnormally until they develop into a polyp or tumor.

In stage 1, cancer spreads into the first two inner submucosa or muscularis propria linings of the colon. The differentiating factor in the early stages is that there is no spread beyond the colon, and there is no lymph node or distant site involvement.

Stage 2

There are three designations for stage 2 colon cancer:

Stage IIA: Cancer has spread to the colon's outer layers, but has not gone through the layers, and it is not growing into tissues close to the colon or any organs.
Stage IIB: The cancer is through the colon's outer layers without growing into tissues close to it or any organs.
Stage IIC: The cancer is through the colon and has spread to nearby organs.

The differentiating factor in stage 2 is cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or distant sites in the body.

Stage 3

Once colon cancer develops in the colon, it can metastasize or spread into the surrounding tissue near the colon or travel to other parts of the body through the lymph system or blood. Stage 3 has three designations, including:

Stage IIIA: Cancer has spread through the mucosa into the fat near the lymph nodes or four to six lymph nodes.
Stage IIIB: Cancer has spread through the colon’s outer layers or through the peritoneum (a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity covering the abdominal organs) and involves seven or more lymph nodes. It has not affected nearby organs.
Stage IIIC: Cancer has grown through the inner and outer layers of the colon attaching to tissues or organs nearby. It has also involved one or more lymph nodes or fat areas near the lymph nodes.

The differentiating factor in this stage is there's no distant site involvement.

Stage 4

In this stage of colon cancer, the cancer is advanced, involving the colon and any or all of the following areas such as the tissue surrounding the colon, lymph nodes, and other areas of the body, such as the liver, ovaries, lungs, or distant lymph nodes. There are three designations for stage 4.

Stage IVA: Cancer has metastasized to one organ or area further away from the colon.
Stage IVB: Cancer has metastasized to multiple organs or areas that are further away from the colon.
Stage IVC: Cancer has grown into the tissue lining the abdomen as well as potentially metastasizing to other organs or areas of the body.

It is helpful to be aware of these symptoms and stages of colon cancer. A colonoscopy screening for colon cancer is recommended every ten years if you are between 45 - 75 years old or earlier if you are at increased risk. Those who have a higher risk of colon cancer should talk to their doctor about screening earlier than age 45 and more frequently than generally recommended. Early detection is your best chance for a good outcome through treatment.

Published on February 3, 2021