Colon cancer

Alternative names:

cancer of the intestine; colorectal cancer; intestinal cancer

Symptoms:

• diarrhea or other change in bowel habits lasting 10 days or more
• blood in the stool
• unexplained anemia
• abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen
• intestinal obstruction
• weight loss

Note: Most colon cancers have no symptoms.

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• anal lump
• abdominal fullness, gaseous

Signs and tests:

A rectal examination reveals rectal mass. A tool guaiac test is positive. A colonoscopy with biopsy shows cancer. A sigmoidoscopy with biopsy shows cancer.