Could having blood in the stool for five years be rectal cancer?

Written by Huang Gang

Gastroenterology

Updated on January 15, 2025

00:00

00:00

If there has been blood in the stool for five years, whether it's colorectal cancer or not, this can only be confirmed through a colonoscopy. Furthermore, pathological tissue analysis and biopsy are necessary to make a definitive diagnosis.

Pathological examination is the gold standard for diagnosing cancer. If cancerous changes are present, surgical treatment should be undertaken promptly to prevent the spread of cancer cells. If there are no malignant changes, symptomatic treatment measures can be adopted. Conditions such as chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, or hemorrhoids could also cause blood in the stool.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Liu Liang

Oncology

1min 11sec

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

1min 9sec

home-news-image

Does rectal cancer require chemotherapy?

The question of whether chemotherapy is necessary for rectal cancer needs to be analyzed specifically, taking into account factors such as the patient's physical condition, pathological staging, and whether the surgery was completely successful. Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer can be divided into adjuvant chemotherapy and palliative chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer, and it can also serve to enhance the effects of radiotherapy. For low rectal cancer, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy can be administered if the tumor cannot be directly removed, followed by surgery after the treatment. If surgery is possible for rectal cancer, and there is lymph node metastasis or the pathological stage is relatively advanced, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy can be performed. Therefore, the need for chemotherapy in cases of rectal cancer should ideally be assessed at a specialized oncology department in a hospital to provide a detailed analysis and evaluation by oncologists.

home-news-image

Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

50sec

home-news-image

Is anal pain and rectal bleeding indicative of rectal cancer?

Pain in the anal area, accompanied by blood in the stool, does not necessarily indicate rectal cancer. There are many causes of pain and bloody stools, which require identification and diagnosis through the color of the bloody stools, digital rectal examination, and colonoscopy. Common causes of bright red bloody stools or pain are mainly due to hemorrhoids and anal fissures. During the onset of rectal cancer, early stages generally do not involve pain in the anal area. It is mainly characterized by changes in bowel habits, or dark red blood in the stool in the middle to late stages. The tumor may grow larger, causing difficulty in defecation, and may even induce systemic symptoms such as weight loss, anemia, and intestinal obstruction.

home-news-image

Written by Liu Liang

Oncology

40sec

home-news-image

Is there a difference between colon cancer and rectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer includes rectal cancer and colon cancer. Its clinical manifestations may include rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, and changes in stool shape. It is named according to the specific location of the tumor. For example, if the malignant tumor occurs in the rectum, it is called rectal cancer. If it occurs in the transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and ascending colon, these malignant tumors are called colon cancer. Colon cancer and rectal cancer are collectively referred to as colorectal cancer.

home-news-image

Written by Si Li Li

Gastroenterology

1min 5sec

home-news-image

Is rectal bleeding an indication of rectal cancer?

Rectal bleeding is not necessarily colorectal cancer; there are several reasons for rectal bleeding: First, caused by constipation, which leads to difficulty during bowel movements and tearing of the anal mucosa, resulting in bleeding. Second, ulcerative colitis, which commonly presents symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood and mucus in the stool. Third, rectal or colon cancer, where the main symptoms also include abdominal pain, changes in stool characteristics, and rectal bleeding. Fourth, ischemic bowel disease, generally seen in older patients with some cardiovascular and ischemic diseases, where symptoms mainly include significant abdominal pain and rectal bleeding. Therefore, not all cases of rectal bleeding are due to rectal cancer; there are many causes, and it is essential to diagnose clearly before treatment.