How to judge the early and late stages of rectal cancer

How to determine the early and late stages of rectal cancer?

Generally, the early or late stage can be judged through symptoms, colonoscopy, abdominal and pelvic CT, etc.

1. Symptoms: Rectal cancer refers to cancer from the dentate line to the junction of the rectum and sigmoid colon. It is one of the common malignant tumors of the digestive tract. Its incidence is related to social environment, eating habits, genetic factors, etc. There may be no obvious symptoms in the early stage of rectal cancer. Gradually, diarrhea and constipation may alternate, and blood in the stool may also appear, which are early symptoms of rectal cancer. In the late stage, bloody stools, purulent and bloody stools, urgency and heaviness, constipation, diarrhea, etc. will appear. The stool will gradually become thinner, defecation obstruction, weight loss, and even cachexia will occur. If the late stage tumor invades the surrounding organs such as the bladder, urethra, and vagina, urinary tract irritation symptoms and even lower limb edema will also occur.

2. Colonoscopy: The shape of the mass, the distance between the upper and lower edges and the anal edge can be observed, and pathological sections can be examined to determine the nature and degree of differentiation of the mass. If the tumor is small and the degree of differentiation is low, it is generally in the early stage of rectal cancer. If the tumor is large and the degree of differentiation is high, it is generally in the late stage of rectal cancer.

3. Abdominal and pelvic CT: We can know the location of the tumor, its relationship with adjacent structures, and whether there is metastasis around the rectum and other parts of the abdominal and pelvic cavity. If the tumor is in a fixed location and has not metastasized, it is generally in the early stage of rectal cancer. If the tumor is not in a fixed location, it is generally in the late stage of rectal cancer.

In addition to the above examinations, chest examination, CT or chest X-ray can also be used to clarify the diagnosis. Patients are advised to seek medical attention in a timely manner.