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You are here : Healthopedia.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Diseases and Conditions > Colorectal Cancer: Symptoms & Signs
      Category : Health Centers > Cancers and Tumors

Colorectal Cancer

Alternate Names : Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring | Attribution


What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?

The colorectal tumor can bleed into the inside of the bowel. Symptoms may include:

  • rectal bleeding
  • dark stools called melena, caused by blood in the stools
  • anemia, which is a low blood cell count, from blood or iron loss
  • changes in bowel habits, such as the frequency of bowel movements
  • smaller stools
  • mucus discharge from the rectum
  • vague abdominal distress
  • gas pain
  • hemorrhoids, which are dilated blood vessels in the rectal area
  • A tumor can narrow or block the bowel. It can also perforate the bowel, causing infection or bleeding into the abdominal cavity. When colorectal cancer spreads to other sites in the body, it can cause:

  • liver cancer
  • jaundice
  • pain in the liver
  • loss of appetite and weight loss
  • lung cancer
  • Rarely, swollen lymph nodes are a sign of colorectal cancer. Unusual health problems sometimes associated with colorectal cancer include:

  • thrombophlebitis, an inflammation in the veins of the lower leg
  • unusual syndromes that change skin coloring
  • muscle problems

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    Colorectal Cancer: Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

     

    Colorectal Cancer: Diagnosis & Tests

    Author: Thomas Fisher, MD
    Reviewer: Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
    Date Reviewed: 07/05/01









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    Page Last Updated: 6th April, 2009