Colorectal cancer/symptomatology

The clinical picture of KR-CA depends on its localization in the large intestine and the way of growth, so it can be very various.

The most striking manifestation is intestinal obstruction if the tumor mass fills the entire intestinal lumen - clinically, the patient presents with ileum. Earlier and not so clinically significant manifestations of intestinal obturation can be excessive flatulence, change of defecation stereotype, colicky pain or subileous state. It not infrequently happens that the tumor is only discovered during ileus complications.

Another clinically significant manifestation is bleeding from the tumor into the GIT, either microscopic or macroscopic. The patient may not even notice microscopic bleeding, which is why we use ] as a screening examination stool occult blood test (TOKS), which detects even small amounts of blood in the stool. If the bleeding is more massive or lasts for a long time, the patient may have symptoms of anemia.

Acute peritonitis caused by perforation of the tumor is among the rarer manifestations of the disease, as well as penetration of the tumor into the surrounding area and the formation of palpable resistance.

A specific symptom of KR-CA occurring in the rectal area is tenesmy.

Related Articles

 * Colorectal cancer