Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEarly SymptomsScreeningCancer DevelopmentPrognosisTreatmentRecurrenceLife ExpectancyNext in Colon Cancer GuideColon Cancer Symptoms
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Early Symptoms
Screening
Cancer Development
Prognosis
Treatment
Recurrence
Life Expectancy
Next in Colon Cancer Guide
Colon cancer occurs when cancerous cells develop in the colon (large intestine). This condition can cause no symptoms, especially at first, but eventually, signs include changes in bathroom habits and blood in stools.
Colon cancer is relativelycommonand affects people of all genders. The American Cancer Society estimated that more than 100,000 new cases would be diagnosed in the United States in 2024.Proper diagnosis is critical; the sooner it is detected and treated, the better the outcome.
This article discusses colon cancer development, symptoms, treatment, and the factors influencing outcomes.
Colon Cancer vs. Colorectal CancerThough colon and colorectal cancer symptoms can overlap, there aredifferencesbetween the two cancers. Colon cancer occurs within the colon, whereas colorectal cancer starts in the rectum, which is at the bottom end of the colon that holds stool until you move your bowels.
Colon Cancer vs. Colorectal Cancer
Though colon and colorectal cancer symptoms can overlap, there aredifferencesbetween the two cancers. Colon cancer occurs within the colon, whereas colorectal cancer starts in the rectum, which is at the bottom end of the colon that holds stool until you move your bowels.
First Symptoms of Colon Cancer: How to Tell
One of the biggest challenges in diagnosing and managing colon cancer is that early symptoms are not unique to colon cancer and may resemble those of other conditions, such ashemorrhoids,irritable bowel syndrome(IBS), andinflammatory bowel disease(IBD), making it more difficult to detect.
Signs of colon cancer depend on how advanced the disease is. Early signs of colon cancer often go unnoticed until more apparent symptoms develop over time.
Stool Changes and Bleeding
Common early colon cancer symptoms involve changes to your stools (poop) and bathroom habits. The symptoms often last for at least several days and include the following:
Tenesmus
Another sign of colon cancer istenesmus—the feeling that you need to move your bowels, even when they are empty. Tenesmus may cause pain, discomfort, cramping, and excessive straining.
Abdominal Pain
Cramping and abdominal (belly) pain are symptoms associated with various conditions, such asCrohn’s diseaseor ulcerative colitis.However, they can also accompany colon cancer, causing feelings of gas, bloating, and uncomfortable fullness.
Other Symptoms
Nausea that may lead to vomiting is another sign of colon cancer. As the disease persists, more systemic symptoms emerge. Among these are feelings of fatigue (extreme tiredness) and a lack of energy. Further symptoms may include unexplained weight loss andanemia—low red blood cell count due to bleeding.
Progressive Symptoms and Complications
As colon cancer progresses, it can lead to several complications. These include:
When to Screen for Colon Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), adults with an average cancer risk should start regular screening (either stool-based tests or visual exams) for this cancer beginning at 45 until they’re 75. From age 76 to 85, the choice to test is based on your overall health status, life expectancy, and personal preference. The ACS doesn’t recommend testing for those 86 or older.
How Colon Cancer Develops
Cancer occurs when the DNA of healthy colon cells changes, causing gene mutations. Affected genes includeoncogenes, which regulate cell division, and tumor suppressors, which break down and “recycle” old cells. As oncogene activity increases and tumor-suppressing genes slow down, cells multiply rapidly and spread, forming cancerous growths.
You can inherit the mutations that cause cancer cells from your biological parents (germline mutations), or mutations can result from environmental factors—the more common cause. Several health factors raise the risk of colon cancer:
Polyp or Tumor Location
Thecolonis the final part of the digestive system. It is a 5-foot-long tube that connects the small intestine to the anus. The colon’s five major parts are:
Colon cancer cells appear first in the membranes lining the colon before eventually moving to adjacent and sometimes distant parts of the body. Sometimes noncancerous growths, or polyps, as well as precancerous polyps, can develop into cancer.
Prognosis of Colon Cancer at Diagnosis and After Treatment
Cancer StagesHealthcare providersstage colon cancerbased on how far it has spread. Stages range from 0 to 4; here’s a breakdown:Stage 0:Presence of abnormal or precancerous cells in the inner colon liningStage 1: The cancerous cells spread outside the inner lining but remain in the colonStage 2: The cancer spreads outside the colon but hasn’t reached the lymph nodesStage 3:The cancer spreads outside of the colon and affects the lymph nodesStage 4: Also known as metastatic colon cancer, cancer cells spread to affect distant parts of the body
Cancer Stages
Healthcare providersstage colon cancerbased on how far it has spread. Stages range from 0 to 4; here’s a breakdown:Stage 0:Presence of abnormal or precancerous cells in the inner colon liningStage 1: The cancerous cells spread outside the inner lining but remain in the colonStage 2: The cancer spreads outside the colon but hasn’t reached the lymph nodesStage 3:The cancer spreads outside of the colon and affects the lymph nodesStage 4: Also known as metastatic colon cancer, cancer cells spread to affect distant parts of the body
Healthcare providersstage colon cancerbased on how far it has spread. Stages range from 0 to 4; here’s a breakdown:
Colon cancers caught in earlier stages are more treatable. For instance, 80% to 95% of those with cancer detected at stage 1 are alive five years later; this drops to about 15% for stage 4.Therapies may be ineffective withend-stage colon cancer.
Treatment to Remove Colon Cancer
Minimally Invasive Options
For cancer confined to the inner lining of the colon, a colonoscopy can remove these tumors and cure early cancer. For more invasive but early-stage cancer, providers use minimally invasive methods (e.g., laparoscopic surgery) to remove tumors, affected tissues, or lymph nodes.
Colectomy
Acolectomyis a surgery that involves removing the part of the colon with the cancerous tumor (or precancerous polyps), surrounding tissues, and lymph nodes.
While there are risks associated with this surgery, such as excess bleeding, infection, or injury to surrounding organs, it has a high success rate. People with stage 1 colon cancer experience a 94% success rate, while those with stage 4 experience a 50% success rate with colectomy.
Radiation Therapy
Cancer specialists, known asoncologists, typically recommendradiation therapyalongside surgery. Radiation therapy involves directing radiation to the affected areas to kill cancer cells. This therapy causes a wide range of side effects, including skin irritation, slow wound healing, nausea, incontinence, diarrhea, pain, and others.
The success of radiation therapy depends on the cancer stage and the specific method used. It ranges from 15% to 91% in five years.
Chemotherapy
Healthcare providers may trychemotherapy, an intravenous (IV) or oral medication that targets cancer cells, alongside surgery. The side effects of chemotherapy include hair loss, mouth sores, weight loss, nausea, diarrhea, and changes in nail growth, among others.Research evidence suggests chemotherapy is best for stage 3 or higher cancers.
Targeted Therapy
Certain medications that stimulate the immune system and target cancer cells can also play a role in therapy. Drugs that treat this condition includeAvastin(bevacizumab),Cyramza(ramucirumab), andZaltrap(ziv-aflibercept). Side effects include bleeding from the rectum, headaches, high blood pressure, and protein in the urine.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy involves medications that stimulate immune function to combat cancer cells.Immunotherapydrugs likeKeytruda(pembrolizumab),Opdivo(nivolumab), andYervoy(ipilimumab) are given via IV every two to four weeks. These therapies may cause itching, fever, chills, dizziness, and wheezing. Researchers found cure rates ranging from 18.6% to 43.8% at two years.
Recurrence After Treatment
Even with successful surgery or other treatments, there’s a chance that colon cancer can come back. Overall, researchers have found that about 14.6% of those who receive surgery experience recurrence within five years. However, the chances of the cancer coming back also depend on how advanced it is. Stage 1 colon cancer had a five-year recurrence rate of 7%, which rose to 20% for stage 3 cancer.
Statistics on Life Expectancy
Summary
Colon cancer affects the colon (large intestine) and causes a range of symptoms, including changes in the stool and abdominal pain. This cancer often doesn’t cause issues at first, which is why healthcare providers recommend that adults over 45 or at increased risk have regular screening for early detection.
Treatments for colon cancer depend on the cancer stage and include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and other approaches. In about 20% of cases, the cancer returns following surgery or other treatment. Overall, about two-thirds of those diagnosed survive five or more years.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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