Warning Signs Of Colon Cancer - What Are The Early Signs & Symptoms Of Colon Cancer?

Colorectal cancer is the commonest gastro-intestinal cancer, and it is the 3rd most common cancer in the world.
It has a multifactorial etiology, including genetic factors, environmental exposures, and inflammatory conditions of the gastro-intestinal tract.
Genetics play a significant role in the development of colorectal cancer.
Conditions associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer include familial adenomatous polyposis, Lynch syndrome, acromegaly, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Dietary factors such as high consumption of red meat, animal fats, sugary beverages like high fructose corn syrup, alcohol, and low fiber diet also increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
Factors that reduce the risk of colorectal cancer include folate and calcium intake, and estrogen replacement therapy.
Most common type of colorectal cancer is adenocarcinoma.
The commonest site of occurrence is rectosigmoid junction, followed by ascending colon, and then, descending colon.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer may vary depending on the location.
Left-sided tumors, which are more common in elderly individuals, initially do not cause any symptoms.
Once they infiltrate the wall of the colon, symptoms start to appear.
Common signs and symptoms of left-sided tumors include altered bowel habits.
Narrowing of stools.
Intestinal obstruction and abdominal distension.
Colicky abdominal pain.
Constipation.
Passage of fresh, bright red blood in stools, also known as hematochezia.
Nausea, and vomiting.
Right sided tumors commonly occur in young patients.
They usually do not cause bowel obstruction, because the ascending colon has a large diameter, compared to the descending and sigmoid colon.
Since these tumors can bleed chronically, individuals with right-sided colon cancer typically present with features of iron deficiency anemia, such as fatigue, pallor of mucus membranes etc.
They may also have loss of appetite and loss of weight.
In case of cecal carcinoma, a right iliac fossa mass may be felt.

#colorectalcancer #medtoday

colon cancer,colon cancer symptoms,JJ Medicine,Colon Cancer overview,Colon Cancer risk factors,Colon Cancer pathophysiology,Colon Cancer symptoms,Colon Cancer signs and symptoms,Colon Cancer diagnosis,Colon Cancer screening,Colon Cancer treatment,Colorectal Carcinoma,Colorectal Carcinoma risk factors,Colorectal Carcinoma pathophysiology,Colorectal Carcinoma symptoms,Colorectal Carcinoma signs and symptoms,Colorectal Carcinoma diagnosis,colorectal cancer