Colorectal Cancer Symptoms

What Are Colorectal Cancer Symptoms?

Colorectal polyps do not always show symptoms, mainly during the first stage. It is possible for an individual to have colorectal cancer and not display any of the common symptoms that are associated with colorectal cancer. However, symptoms include;

A change in bowel movements
Blood in the stool
Weight loss
Pain in the abdominal
Constipation or diarrhea

These symptoms could vary from person to person.

Types of Colorectal Cancer

Primary colorectal lymphomas
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Leiomyosarcomas
Carcinoid tumors
Melanomas[¹]

How Is Colorectal Cancer Diagnosed?

The gold standard of colorectal cancer detection is a colonoscopy. The doctor uses this technique to have a closer view of the colon and rectum. The process involves inserting a flexible tube with a lens and a light attached at the end. [²]

Colorectal Cancer Staging

The earliest stage is Stage 0

Stage 1 – This is where the cancer has grown through the mucosa and invaded the muscular layer.
State 2 – This is where the cancer has grown through the layers of the muscle and entered the abdomen.
Stage 3 – This is where the cancer has grown through the walls of the bowel and has reached the surrounding organs.
Stage 4 – This indicates that the cancer has reached other parts of the body.[³]

Is Colorectal Cancer Hereditary?

Yes, colorectal cancer is inherited. The condition is known as lynch syndrome or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.[⁴]

What Are the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer?

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer could include:

Weight loss
Pain in the abdominal
Constipation or diarrhea
Blood in the stool
A change in bowel movements

What Are Some Signs of Colorectal Cancer?

As mentioned, signs refer to clinical manifestations, something that could be noticed during medical tests or examinations. Some early signs of colorectal cancer could include:

Rectal bleeding
The feeling of the bowel not being empty
Changes in bowel habits
Fatigue

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer in women vs. symptoms of Colorectal Cancer in men

In women, the signs of colorectal cancer include;

Shortness of breath
Abdominal pain
Discomfort during bowel movements
Excessive tiredness.[⁵]

In men, the symptoms of colorectal cancer are somewhat the same, but with some differences, such as;

Nausea and vomiting
Fatigue
Pelvic discomfort
Bloating
Blood in stool [⁶]

Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer

Some individuals are prone to getting colorectal cancer more than others. These risk factors may include, but aren’t limited to the following;

Obesity
Use of tobacco
Eating a high-fat, low-fiber diet
Lack of physical activity
A diet lacking fruits and vegetables.[⁷]

Colorectal Cancer Prevention

Increasing one’s physical activity, a healthy diet plan, and lifestyle while limiting one’s alcohol consumption and quitting smoking tobacco are all ways in which colorectal cancer can be prevented.

Colorectal Cancer Prognosis and Treatment

The prognosis for colorectal cancer is highly dependent on the stage and type of colorectal. In general, colorectal cancers caught at earlier stages (stage 0/in situ, stage 1) have a better outlook. If the cancer has metastasized, treatment is more difficult, but it is important to maintain hope. Colorectal cancer is treatable depending on the stage and if it is localized to the bowel. Surgery is one of the ways in which colorectal cancer can be treated, and it is used in 50% of patients. That said, instances of recurrence are the leading cause of death after colorectal cancer surgery.

Colorectal Cancer Survival Rate

When diagnosed early, the survival rate of colorectal patients can be up to 91%.[⁸] However, once the cancer spreads to other parts of the body and the surrounding tissue, or the nearby organs, then the survival rate drops significantly to around 72%. In cases where cancer has spread to other parts of the body the survival rate drops further to just 14%, which is a five-year survival rate.

Colorectal Cancer Treatment Options

Thanks to the advancements in technology, there are now several treatment options for colorectal cancer that are available. These treatments range from radiation therapy, to surgery, immunotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. The treatment option for colorectal cancer will be determined after a thorough examination of the patient. The doctor will then choose which is the right approach.[⁹] The treatment options for colorectal cancer can be further divided into three sub-types; such as local treatments, systemic treatments and common treatment approaches.

Local Treatments

These treatments are used for treating the tumor without impacting the rest of the body. This is considered to be a useful option if colorectal cancer is in the initial stages. The following is a quick breakdown of the type of local treatment options for colorectal cancer;

Surgery

Surgery is the basic treatment for colorectal cancer. Again, the type of surgery is going to depend on the stage of the cancer. Polyps or early-stage colon cancers can be removed with a colonoscopy. Two options include, a local excision and a polypectomy. The former is where the colonoscope is used to remove small cancers in the lining and the walls of the colon. The polypectomy is a procedure where the growth is cut at the base and involves passing a wire loop through the colonoscope.[¹⁰]

Ablation and Embolization for Colorectal Cancer

If there are small tumors found in the lungs or liver, they can be removed by embolization or ablation. These two processes are used when all of the colorectal cancer has been removed from the colon and the rectum of the individual, and only small tumors remain in the lungs or the liver. The process of ablation is used to destroy cancer tumors that are smaller than 4cm. There are three types of ablation that can be used, such as, radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, ethanol ablation, and a fourth – cryosurgery or cryoablation.

Embolization is the process where tumors that are present in the liver are treated. In this process, a substance is injected into the artery of the liver that blocks the blood flow to the tumor. This procedure works since the liver is the only organ that gets its blood supply from two arteries. Blood flows to the liver through the portal vein, while cancer cells only enter the liver through the hepatic artery.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is another popular treatment for colorectal cancer. The procedure uses high-frequency rays or particles to destroy the cancerous cells. The types of radiation therapy for colorectal cancers include, external beam radiation therapy, internal radiation therapy, and radioembolization.

Systemic Treatments

Chemotherapy

Chemo or chemotherapy is a treatment that uses anti-cancer drugs which are either taken orally or injected. The drugs then travel through the bloodstream to reach the cancerous tumors. There are also different times when chemotherapy is administered, such as, adjuvant chemo being given post surgery while neoadjuvant chemo is given prior to surgery.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy uses medication to help boost the individual’s immune system so that it can recognize and destroy cancer cells. This is also used for treating patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors [¹¹] are used when specific changes in the genes have been detected in the patient. Inhibitors such as, PD-1 inhibitors and CTLA-4 inhibitors are also used to boost the response of the immune system in patients with colorectal cancer.

Targeted Therapy Drugs

As the name implies, targeted therapy drugs are also used on colorectal cancer patients and work differently as compared to chemotherapy. Targeted therapy drugs have been found to be more effective where chemo has failed in treating the patient. These drugs enter the bloodstream and reach the cancerous tumors and help the spread of cancerous cells. Targeted therapy drugs hinder cancer cells from multiplying by using drugs that target blood vessel formation, drugs that target the cells with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), and drugs that target the BRAF gene changes and HER2, which is a growth-promoting protein.

There are also instances where the patient may find that no amount of treatment is helping. At that time, it may be best to evaluate the risks and the benefits of continuing with new treatment procedures. There are many instances where an individual decides not to continue with the cancer treatment, mainly because the cancer has progressed to an advanced stage.

While there are many reasons why an individual may decide not to seek out further treatment for colorectal cancer, it is important to note that regardless of whether one is seeking new treatment options or not, there are still certain things that one can do to manage the symptoms, such as adopt a healthier diet and lifestyle, and not use alcohol or smoke.

Conclusion

Colorectal cancer is also called bowel cancer, rectal cancer or colon cancer. It begins when polyps grow inside the rectum or the colon. Removing these cancerous polyps on time is essential to preventing the spread of colorectal cancer.