Rectal cancer - the first symptoms

Rectal tumors occur quite often, especially in developed countries in people older than 50 years. This is due to the peculiarities of nutrition, the predominance of fatty and protein foods, digestible carbohydrates in the diet. Unfortunately, in the early stages of development it is difficult to diagnose cancer of the rectum - the first symptoms of the disease are too similar to the inflammation of the hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome and other non-dangerous pathologies.

What are the first signs and symptoms of colon cancer?

Early stages of cancer do not manifest themselves. Cancer cells only start to multiply, and the tumor gradually grows in the form of a ring along the inner diameter of the rectum. The first signs can be noticed only 1.5-2 years after the onset of the disease progression. They are nonspecific and often poorly expressed in order for the patient to turn in time to the proctologist.

Manifestations of colorectal cancer:

1. General weakness and fatigue. The presence of pathological neoplasm in the body disrupts the functions of hematopoiesis and prevents the normal absorption of nutrients. In turn, this provokes iron deficiency, anemia, which reduces efficiency and activity.
2. Feeling of incomplete devastation of the intestine after the act of defecation. Germination of the tumor in the walls and lumen of the gut restricts blood flow, worsens motor skills, can cause obstruction.
3. Changes in the consistency of the stool and bowel movements. The existing neoplasm often provokes inflammatory processes, which affects the functions of the entire digestive system. As a result, sometimes patients complain of constipation and diarrhea, which, as a rule, are written off for inaccuracies in the diet, the presence of hemorrhoids or irritation of the intestine.
4. Dyspnea. Disorders of blood circulation lead to oxygen starvation of many internal organs, including - the lungs. Therefore, even with low loads, there is a feeling of lack of air on inspiration.

As can be seen, it is rather difficult to connect the listed symptoms with a cancerous tumor.

Diagnosis of rectal cancer

To exclude other possible causes of the observed symptoms and confirm suspicions of the cancer process, the following studies are carried out:

• palpation of the abdomen;
• rectal finger examination (allows to examine the rectum to a depth of about 15 cm);
• The examination of the vagina and cervix to determine the presence of metastases;
• anoscopy;
• Ultrasound or X-ray of the pelvic organs;
• stool analysis for occult blood;
• colonoscopy ;
• sigmoidoscopy;
• biopsy with histological analysis;
• Irrigoscopy;
• CT scan.

The first laboratory symptoms of colorectal cancer are oncomarkers - biological compounds in the blood, the concentration of which can confirm the development of the tumor. In the case under consideration, there are 2 substances:

• REA (cancer embryonic antigen);
• antigen CA-19-9.

To determine them, you must pass the biorhythms of the body (from 7.30 to 10.00), respectively venous blood, without first having breakfast and not consuming sweet drinks.

Prognosis for the detection of the first symptoms of colorectal cancer

Given the continuous development of medical technology and impressive progress in the field of cancer treatment, the forecast is relatively good. After surgery, the survival rate is more than 80% followed by the need for colostomy.

Timely surgical therapy at early stages of tumor development allows prolonging life by 7-10 years (on average - 8).