The most common symptoms of transverse colon cancer

Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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The most common symptoms of transverse colon cancer mainly include abdominal pain, bloody stools, and changes in stool characteristics, such as thinner stools, which can sometimes lead to severe symptoms of intestinal obstruction. After these symptoms appear in transverse colon cancer, it is advisable to undergo a colonoscopy as soon as possible. Pathology obtained through the colonoscopy can confirm the diagnosis. Once transverse colon cancer is confirmed, it is also necessary to check for metastases to other parts of the body. For non-metastasized cases, early surgical treatment should be carried out, including a radical surgery for transverse colon cancer with lymph node dissection. Postoperative comprehensive anti-tumor treatment is generally required, involving six to eight courses of adjuvant chemotherapy. Postoperative chemotherapy aims to prevent local recurrence and distant metastasis.

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What are the symptoms of stool in colon cancer?

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Early symptoms of colon cancer

Colon cancer often does not have obvious symptoms in its early stages, and of course, the specific situation needs to be analyzed on a case-by-case basis, as it varies from person to person. As the disease progresses, some clinical symptoms may appear. The first one is changes in bowel habits and stool characteristics; there might be blood in the stool, changes such as an increased frequency of defecation, urgency followed by a feeling of incomplete evacuation, and a sensation of rectal fullness, along with possible changes in the shape or thinning of the stool. The second possible symptom is abdominal pain, which may also be accompanied by a feeling of bloating or abdominal discomfort. The third possibility is the symptoms of intestinal obstruction, which include cessation of bowel movements and passing gas. The fourth is that a mass may be felt in the abdomen. The fifth point is that some individuals, especially those in poor health, may experience symptoms of nutritional depletion from the tumor, such as anemia, weight loss, and fatigue. If there is early metastasis, symptoms corresponding to the metastasis may also appear.

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How to defecate after transverse colon cancer surgery

If transverse colon cancer is treated with curative resection surgery and no stoma creation, the anus is preserved, and defecation occurs through the original anus. If a colostomy is performed after surgery for transverse colon cancer, defecation occurs through an artificial anus, typically located in the lower left abdomen. There can be opportunities to reverse the stoma later if necessary. Even with a stoma, patients can gradually adapt. The main focus is always on completely removing the tumor. Generally, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is also used to control the condition.