In its early stages, colorectal cancer (also called colon cancer), which is cancerous cell growth in your colon or rectum, may not have symptoms. Problems that cause symptoms usually start after it has spread.
Regular screenings for colorectal cancer are crucial, especially if you’re at higher odds because of something like your family medical history. These tests are the only way to spot early cancer.
Colon Cancer Symptoms
The symptoms of colon cancer can vary, depending on where the cancer is within the digestive tract.
Different types of colon cancer are found in different areas. They include:
- Adenocarcinoma. Most colon cancer is adenocarcinoma. This cancer is found within the cells in the inner lining of your colon.
- Lymphoma. This cancer of the immune system usually begins in your lymph nodes but can start in your colon.
- Carcinoid tumors. These tumors begin in the cells in your intestines that produce hormones.
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors. These tumors are a type of soft tissue sarcoma, which is a cancer that starts in soft tissues in your body, like your muscles, nerves, fat, or blood vessels, and your organs. It's rarely found in the colon but can be found in the digestive tract.
Hereditary colon cancer happens when certain gene mutations are passed down from your parents. This type of cancer occurs in about 5%-10% of people who get colon cancer.
Symptoms of colon cancer can also vary based on the stage of the cancer. There are five stages of colon cancer, and three of the stages have three substages.
Stage 0 colon cancer symptoms
Cancer in stage 0 is also known as carcinoma in situ. It's found in the inner layer of your colon or rectum but hasn't spread. There aren't usually any symptoms at this stage.
Stage I colon cancer symptoms
If you have stage I colon cancer, the cancer has spread through the lining (or mucosa) of your colon or rectum and may have grown into the muscle layer. At this stage, the cancer hasn't reached your lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Your symptoms might include:
- Belly cramps or pain
- Excess gas
- Changes in poop shape or color
- Bleeding from the rectum
- Blood in your stool
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
Stage II colon cancer symptoms
At this stage, the cancer has spread into the walls of your colon or rectum and possibly into nearby tissues, but not to nearby lymph nodes.
There are three substages of stage II colon cancer:
- At stage IIA, the cancer has spread into the outer layers of your colon or rectum but hasn't grown through them or reached organs or lymph nodes that are close by. It also hasn't spread to parts of your body that are more distant.
- At stage IIB, the cancer grows past the outer layer of your colon or rectum wall. It hasn't spread to the lymph nodes or nearby tissues.
- At stage IIC, cancer spreads through the wall and also attaches to tissues and organs that are close. At this stage, the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.
You might have symptoms like:
- Belly cramps or pain
- Excess gas
- Changes in poop shape or color
- Bleeding from the rectum
- Blood in your stool
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
Stage III colon cancer symptoms
At this stage, the cancer has grown to your lymph nodes. The three substages of stage III colon cancer are:
- Stage IIIA, when cancer spreads to the first and second layers of your intestinal wall and to four to six close lymph nodes
- Stage IIIB, when more layers of your colon or rectum wall are affected but cancer has spread to only one to three lymph nodes. If cancer has grown to fewer colon or rectum wall layers but spreads to four or more lymph nodes, it's also considered to be stage IIIB.
- Stage IIIC, when cancer spreads to the outer layer and is in four or more lymph nodes. This stage also includes cancer that has spread to a nearby organ but only to one or more lymph nodes.
Some possible symptoms during stage III are:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Long-term changes in your stool
- Not being able to empty your bowels
- Vomiting
Stage IV colon cancer symptoms
In stage IV colon cancer, the cancer has spread to your organs.
- In stage IVA, the cancer grows to one organ or lymph nodes that are farther away from your colon.
- In stage IVB, the cancer spreads to more lymph nodes and more than one distant organ.
- In stage IVC, lymph nodes, stomach tissue, and distant organs are affected by the cancer.
Your symptoms at this stage include:
- Jaundice
- Swollen hands and feet
- A hard time breathing
- Chronic headaches
- Blurry vision
- Bone fractures
Pelvic pain and anemia (an unusually low number of red blood cells) because of bleeding in your intestines can also be symptoms of colon cancer.
Do I Have Colon Cancer?
Many things can cause these symptoms. Don’t assume it’s something minor like hemorrhoids. Check with your doctor to find out what’s going on.
Your doctor will most likely do a rectal exam. You may also have a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy, tests in which your doctor puts a long, flexible tube into your rectum to check the insides of your intestines for any cancers or growths that could turn into cancer.
The American Cancer Society and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend regular colorectal cancer exams starting at age 45 for people who have an average chance of getting it. If you’re at a higher chance, talk to your doctor about when to start testing.
When people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer before it has spread, about 90% live at least 5 years after diagnosis.
Takeaways
The signs and symptoms of colon cancer can vary, depending on the type, location, and stage of the cancer. Catching colon cancer early is key to treatment potential. About 90% of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer before it has spread live at least 5 years after diagnosis. Talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms of colon cancer such as belly cramps or pain, excess gas, or changes in your poop.
Colon Cancer Symptoms FAQs
- What is the life expectancy of someone with colorectal cancer? About 91% of people diagnosed with colon cancer that hasn't spread live at least 5 years after diagnosis. If the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is 72%, and if it spreads to your organs or farther lymph nodes, the rate is 13%. For all stages of colon cancer combined, the 5-year survival rate is about 63%.
- How long can you live with colon cancer without knowing? Symptoms during the early stages of colon cancer can go unnoticed for many years, as some cancers start as polyps that later become harmful. The prognosis for colon cancer depends on which stage your cancer is diagnosed.
- Can colon cancer be cured? Treatment for colon cancer can be successful in cases where the cancer has only spread to one or a few spots in the liver or lungs. In these cases, surgery can increase life expectancy and possibly cure the cancer.
- Can you survive stage IV colon cancer? At stage IV, treatment is usually for quality-of-life purposes to provide comfort. With proper care, the survival time can be about 9 months after diagnosis.
