What are the symptoms and early signs of rectal cancer?

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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In the early stages of rectal cancer, there are no obvious symptoms. Only when the condition progresses to a certain extent do some clinical symptoms appear. The first is a change in bowel habits or the nature of the stool. The second possible symptom is abdominal pain. The third possible outcome is intestinal obstruction. The fourth symptom occurs when the tumor develops to a certain extent, and lumps can be felt in the abdomen. The fifth point includes possible symptoms of systemic poisoning such as anemia, weight loss, fever, and weakness. The sixth point is that in the advanced stages of rectal cancer, some metastatic lesions may appear, such as extensive pelvic metastasis and infiltration, leading to pain in the sacral area and sciatic neuralgia; if areas like the vaginal, rectal mucosa, or bladder mucosa are involved, there may be vaginal bleeding or blood in the urine, resulting in conditions like rectovaginal or rectovesical fistulas.

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Stage II colorectal cancer

Rectal cancer staging is based on the TNM system. "T" refers to the primary tumor, "N" indicates whether there are lymph node metastases, and "M" indicates the presence of distant metastases. Staging is determined according to these factors. Stage II generally refers to patients with T3, N0, M0, or T4, N0, M0. What does this mean? T3 indicates that the tumor has penetrated the base layer reaching the subserosal layer, or has invaded the tissues adjacent to parts of the colon or rectum that are not covered by peritoneum, which is described as T3. T4 means that the tumor has invaded through the entire bowel wall, perforated the visceral peritoneum, and involved other organs or structures, which is called T4. N0, M0 means there are no lymph node metastases and no distant metastases, such as to the liver or lungs. Such patients are clinically staged as stage II rectal cancer.

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Is anal canal cancer considered a type of rectal cancer?

Anal canal cancer can also be considered a type of rectal cancer, specifically the type located near the anus, referred to as anal canal cancer. Generally, anal canal cancer may have a higher malignancy level, and its initial main symptoms include rectal bleeding and changes in stool characteristics, such as narrower stools. There may also be a sensation of heaviness and pain in the anal area. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through a digital rectal examination and a biopsy. If necessary, an anoscopy and other common examinations can be conducted to check for lesions in other parts of the intestine. Generally, the prognosis for anal canal cancer is not as favorable as for other types of rectal or colon cancer.

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Symptoms of rectal cancer recurrence

The symptoms of rectal cancer recurrence can include changes in bowel habits and stool characteristics, possibly presenting as rectal bleeding, increased frequency of bowel movements, a sensation of heaviness in the anus, and changes in stool shape, such as narrowing. The second symptom may be abdominal pain, particularly persistent and subtle pain. The third symptom involves palpable abdominal lumps or masses, especially with right-sided colon cancer. The fourth symptom is intestinal obstruction, which can occur if the bowel is blocked due to the recurrence of rectal cancer, leading to symptoms of intestinal obstruction. The fifth symptom, if the recurrent rectal cancer has metastasized, may lead to symptoms at the respective metastatic sites.

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Can you eat edamame after rectal cancer surgery?

Patients with rectal cancer can eat edamame after surgery. However, they should pay attention to the following dietary advice post-surgery: First, eat less or avoid animal fats, which means limiting the intake of saturated fatty acids. Second, even the consumption of vegetable oils should be limited. Third, do not eat fried foods. Fourth, during cooking, oils should not be overheated. Fifth, eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits.

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What are the differences between colon cancer and rectal cancer?

The fundamental difference between colon cancer and rectal cancer lies in their locations of occurrence. Both are collectively referred to as colorectal cancer, which is one of the more prevalent malignancies of the digestive system in China. Colon cancer originates from the mucosa of the colon, while rectal cancer originates from the mucosa of the rectum, with different points of origin. In terms of treatment, there are significant differences between colon and rectal cancer. In surgical treatment, both cancers typically require surgery as the first choice. However, patients with colon cancer can preserve their anus, whereas some patients with low rectal cancer might face situations where anus preservation is not possible. In internal medicine, the chemotherapy drugs used for colon and rectal cancer are quite similar. In terms of radiation therapy, there are notable differences; radiation treatment is generally not included for colon cancer but is an important treatment method for rectal cancer.