Colon Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Unfortunately, colon cancer does not typically display any symptoms until it is advanced. This is why it is recommended to have periodic colonoscopies a fecal occult blood testing to check for the disease.

However, sometimes symptoms do occur. One of the most common symptoms of colon cancer is abdominal pain, gas and bloating. Fatigue is another symptom.

If the lesion is located close to the anus, then there can be stool-related symptoms such as:

-changes in frequency, quality and consistency of stools

-bloody stools

-mucussy stools

-tarry stools

-feeling like you didn't have a full bowel movement

-smaller diameter of feces

-bowel obstruction

If the cancer is in the ascending colon, there can be the following symptoms:

-anemia

-anorexia and weight loss

-weakness

There can also be symptoms associated with metastasis including:

-shortness of breath from lung metastasis

-right upper quadrant pain from liver metastasis