10 symptoms and warning signs of rectal cancer

Early symptoms of rectal cancer include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool and abdominal pain. Timely medical examination is the key. Treatment methods include surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Early intervention can improve survival rates.

1. Changes in bowel habits. Patients with rectal cancer often experience constipation or diarrhea, increased or decreased bowel movements, and thinner or irregular stools. It is recommended to undergo a colonoscopy as soon as possible when such symptoms occur to rule out the possibility of a tumor.

2. Blood in the stool. Blood in the stool is one of the typical symptoms of rectal cancer. The blood is often dark red or bright red, and sometimes mixed with stool. If you find blood in the stool, you should be alert and seek medical attention immediately for a digital rectal examination and colonoscopy.

3. Abdominal pain. Rectal cancer can cause dull pain, distending pain, or cramping in the abdomen, which worsens as the disease progresses. Persistent abdominal pain requires abdominal CT or MRI to determine the location and extent of the tumor.

4. Weight loss. Rectal cancer patients may experience unexplained weight loss in the short term, accompanied by loss of appetite. Sudden weight loss should be taken seriously and malignant tumors should be checked in time.

5. Anemia. Chronic blood loss caused by rectal cancer can cause anemia, which manifests as pale complexion, fatigue, dizziness and other symptoms. A routine blood test can reveal a decrease in hemoglobin, which requires iron supplementation and other treatments.

6. Abdominal mass. In the late stage of rectal cancer, a hard mass may be felt in the abdomen, which is painful when pressed. Abdominal masses are mostly caused by tumor metastasis and need to be removed surgically as soon as possible.

7. Intestinal obstruction. When rectal cancer grows, it can block the intestinal cavity, causing abdominal pain, vomiting, cessation of bowel movements and other symptoms of intestinal obstruction. Acute intestinal obstruction requires emergency surgery to relieve the obstruction.

8. Abnormal urination. Rectal cancer invading the bladder or ureter can cause bladder irritation symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and difficulty urinating. If abnormal urination occurs, a urinary system examination is required.

9. Anal distension. Patients with rectal cancer often have anal distension, which is not significantly relieved after defecation. If the anal distension persists, rectal digital examination and colonoscopy should be performed to rule out tumors.

10. Lower limb edema. Patients with advanced rectal cancer may experience lower limb edema, which is mostly caused by tumor compression of the inferior vena cava or obstruction of lymphatic return. Lower limb edema should be alert to tumor metastasis and seek medical attention in time.

If you find the above symptoms, you should go to the gastroenterology or oncology department in time for colonoscopy, abdominal CT and other examinations to confirm the diagnosis. Early rectal cancer is mainly treated with surgical resection, which can be improved with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Advanced patients can use targeted therapy and immunotherapy to prolong survival. Dietary fiber intake should be increased, bowel movements should be maintained, and spicy and irritating foods should be avoided. Moderate exercise can help strengthen the body and improve disease resistance. Regular physical examinations can detect lesions early and improve the cure rate.