Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBowel Habit ChangesAbdominal PainBloody StoolsRectal PressureAnemiaWeight LossConditions With Similar SymptomsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Bowel Habit Changes
Abdominal Pain
Bloody Stools
Rectal Pressure
Anemia
Weight Loss
Conditions With Similar Symptoms
Frequently Asked Questions
In the early stages of the disease,rectal cancersymptoms may not be present. As it progresses and symptoms do appear, they can include:
It is important to see a healthcare provider if you notice them. If it does turn out that you have rectal cancer, an early diagnosis can improve treatment outcomes. When diagnosed at anadvanced stage, the prognosis is usually much worse.
Read on to find out more about the signs and symptoms of rectal cancer, which tend to be the same in both males and females.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
Why Do I Have Red or Black Blood in My Poop?
Changes in Bowel Habits
A change in bowel habits is a common sign of rectal cancer. You may havediarrhea,constipation, or an increase or decrease in the frequency of bowel movements. With rectal cancer, diarrhea is quite common.
The important thing to remember is that a change in bowel habits means a change for you personally. Everyone has different bowel habits, and what is normal for one person may not be for another.
Your symptoms could be due to something as minor as your diet. That said, it’s still best to consult your healthcare provider if you notice any change occurring more than a few times.
Constipation or Diarrhea
When a tumor in the rectum is large, it may obstruct the rectum partially or completely. This can lead to severe constipation and cramping that worsens over time.Small amounts of liquid stool may be able to pass through the obstruction, but you will still feel constipated.
Narrow or Thin Stools
A change in the size and shape of a bowel movement may indicate a problem, especially if you notice thin or ribbon-like stools.
A growth in the colon or rectum that is partially obstructing (blocking) the bowel can change the size and shape of the stool as it exits the body. Other conditions may also cause thin stools, such as a large benign polyp or hemorrhoids.
While some sources describethinas “pencil-thin,” there isn’t an accepted definition. If you notice that your stools are thinner than normal, see your healthcare provider.
Abdominal Pain or Cramping
The most common presenting symptom of colorectal cancer is abdominal pain; however, it’s very vague and non-specific.There are many reasons why a person may have abdominal pain or cramping, and much of the time the reason is not cancer. This is why it may not be worrisome at first.
With colorectal cancer, the pain can be occasional or constant. It can be localized or general discomfort.Many times, there will be other symptoms like blood in the stool.
If you are having abdominal pain or cramping for no reason, and it persists, call your healthcare provider. Take note of other symptoms that may also be present, like bloody stools or pain with bowel movements.
Rectal bleeding(either bright red or dark red) is a common symptom of rectal cancer. Sometimes, there is mucus in the stool as well.
Bleeding may not always be obvious, but sometimes it occurs only on a microscopic scale (meaning you can’t see it with the naked eye). A test called afecal occult blood test (FOBT)detects blood in the stool that cannot be seen.
While rectal bleeding is a symptom of rectal cancer, it is also associated with less severe health problems, such asinternal hemorrhoidsandanal fissures. Keep in mind that some foods, like beets and red licorice, can cause changes in stool color that resemble blood.
Bleeding due to rectal cancer usually causes bright red or dark red blood (hematochezia), but don’t ignore darker stools. Bleeding higher in the colon, as well as in the stomach, often causes black and tarry stools (melena), or stools that look like coffee grounds.
This symptom can also be a warning sign of other serious medical conditions.
To be safe, always report any unusual changes in stool color to your healthcare provider.
Another common symptom of rectal cancer isrectal pressureor fullness or the feeling that you have to empty your bowels, even if you’ve just finished.
A mass in the rectum can cause this sensation of incomplete emptying (tenesmus), even if you no longer need to pass stool.
What Is a Bowel Obstruction?
If you are passing liquid stool and feel like you need to expel more waste, but can’t, urgent medical care is needed.
Microscopic bleeding due to rectal cancer often causes anemia. Anemia, in turn, can cause fatigue (commonly the first symptom people note) or weakness. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, and an irregular heartbeat.
Most people feel tired at times, but fatigue that is interfering with your ordinary activities could be a symptom of an underlying medical problem.
The Link Between Cancer and Anemia
Unexplained Weight Loss
Many people welcome unexpected weight loss, but if you’re losing weight and haven’t changed your diet or exercise habits, it could be a sign of rectal cancer.
Unintentional weight loss is defined as the loss of more than 5% of your body weight over a six- to 12-month period without trying.An example would be a 200-pound person losing 10 pounds over a six-month period.
Rectal cancer is only one of the possible causes of this symptom, but unexplained weight loss always warrants a visit to your healthcare provider.
Weight Loss As a Symptom of Cancer
The symptoms of rectal cancer can sometimes be mistaken for the symptoms of common, less serious conditions such as hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
There are subtle differences, however, in the way these conditions present.
For example, hemorrhoids usually get better with home care, while rectal cancer causes worsening symptoms over time. Hemorrhoids also come and go and don’t happen alongside other symptoms like fatigue or weight loss.
Similarly, IBS does not cause bleeding, fatigue, or weight loss.
Summary
Symptoms of rectal cancer include blood in the stool, a noticeable change in your bowel habits or shape and size of your stool, and unexplained weight loss. These symptoms can also occur with many other diseases.
Awareness of the signs and symptoms of rectal cancer is important to detect and treat these cancers as early as possible. If you notice any of the symptoms discussed in this article, talk to your healthcare provider, even if you think you are too young to have colorectal cancer.
The Stages of Rectal Cancer
A Word From Verywell
Colorectal cancer is increasing in people under age 55, with a significant increase in 30- to 39-year-olds noted since1995 and a rise in 40- to 54-year-olds noted since 2005. Unfortunately, experts cannot pinpoint the reason.
At the same time, the diagnosis of these cancers is often delayed. Delaying a diagnosis can make it more likely that the disease will have time to become more advanced.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe five-year relative survival rates for colorectal cancer that remains localized, spreads regionally, or spreads to distant areas of the body are 91%, 72%, and 15%, respectively.Learn MoreColon Cancer PrognosisThere are many risk factors for colorectal cancer. Some include being older; a history of colorectal cancer, polyps, or IBD; certain genetic conditions; overweight or obesity; a sedentary lifestyle, high red or processed meat intake, low vitamin D levels; smoking; and excessive alcohol use.Learn MoreCauses of Colon CancerA colonoscopy can be done, and a biopsy can be taken during the procedure. Once the diagnosis is made, a CT scan and MRI may be ordered to see if there is any spread of cancer.Learn MoreDiagnosing Colon CancerAt-home colorectal cancer screening tests are available. They require you to collect a stool sample and send it to a lab for analysis. These include a fecal immunochemical test and a guaiac-based fecal occult blood test, both of which look for blood in stool, and a stool DNA test, which looks for specific DNA markers.Learn MoreLow-Cost Effective at Colorectal Cancer ScreeningWhile they can share symptoms, rectal cancer does not necessarily feel like hemorrhoids. Both can have itching, rectal bleeding, and changes in bowel habits. But rectal cancer can also involve symptoms like cramping, abdominal pain, and fatigue, which aren’t symptoms of hemorrhoids.Learn MoreHemorrhoid Symptoms
The five-year relative survival rates for colorectal cancer that remains localized, spreads regionally, or spreads to distant areas of the body are 91%, 72%, and 15%, respectively.Learn MoreColon Cancer Prognosis
The five-year relative survival rates for colorectal cancer that remains localized, spreads regionally, or spreads to distant areas of the body are 91%, 72%, and 15%, respectively.
Learn MoreColon Cancer Prognosis
There are many risk factors for colorectal cancer. Some include being older; a history of colorectal cancer, polyps, or IBD; certain genetic conditions; overweight or obesity; a sedentary lifestyle, high red or processed meat intake, low vitamin D levels; smoking; and excessive alcohol use.Learn MoreCauses of Colon Cancer
There are many risk factors for colorectal cancer. Some include being older; a history of colorectal cancer, polyps, or IBD; certain genetic conditions; overweight or obesity; a sedentary lifestyle, high red or processed meat intake, low vitamin D levels; smoking; and excessive alcohol use.
Learn MoreCauses of Colon Cancer
A colonoscopy can be done, and a biopsy can be taken during the procedure. Once the diagnosis is made, a CT scan and MRI may be ordered to see if there is any spread of cancer.Learn MoreDiagnosing Colon Cancer
A colonoscopy can be done, and a biopsy can be taken during the procedure. Once the diagnosis is made, a CT scan and MRI may be ordered to see if there is any spread of cancer.
Learn MoreDiagnosing Colon Cancer
At-home colorectal cancer screening tests are available. They require you to collect a stool sample and send it to a lab for analysis. These include a fecal immunochemical test and a guaiac-based fecal occult blood test, both of which look for blood in stool, and a stool DNA test, which looks for specific DNA markers.Learn MoreLow-Cost Effective at Colorectal Cancer Screening
At-home colorectal cancer screening tests are available. They require you to collect a stool sample and send it to a lab for analysis. These include a fecal immunochemical test and a guaiac-based fecal occult blood test, both of which look for blood in stool, and a stool DNA test, which looks for specific DNA markers.
Learn MoreLow-Cost Effective at Colorectal Cancer Screening
While they can share symptoms, rectal cancer does not necessarily feel like hemorrhoids. Both can have itching, rectal bleeding, and changes in bowel habits. But rectal cancer can also involve symptoms like cramping, abdominal pain, and fatigue, which aren’t symptoms of hemorrhoids.Learn MoreHemorrhoid Symptoms
While they can share symptoms, rectal cancer does not necessarily feel like hemorrhoids. Both can have itching, rectal bleeding, and changes in bowel habits. But rectal cancer can also involve symptoms like cramping, abdominal pain, and fatigue, which aren’t symptoms of hemorrhoids.
Learn MoreHemorrhoid Symptoms
14 SourcesVerywell 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.American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer signs and symptoms.National Cancer Institute.Rectal cancer treatment (PDQ)—patient version.Colon Cancer Coalition.Colon cancer symptoms.Rodriguez-Bigas M, Lin EH, Crane CH, National Library of Medicine.Colorectal cancer management.Fazeli MS, Keramati MR.Rectal cancer: A review.Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2015;29:171.UptoDate.Patient education: Rectal bleeding (blood in the stool).National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Anemia.Bosch X, Monclús E, Escoda O, et al.Unintentional weight loss: Clinical characteristics and outcomes in a prospective cohort of 2677 patients.PLoS ONE. 2017;12(4):e0175125. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175125American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Rectal cancer.Siegel R, Miller K, Jemal A.Colorectal cancer mortality rates in adults aged 20 to 54 years in the United States, 1970-2014.JAMA. 2017;318(6):572-574. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.7630Siegel RL, Miller KD, Fuchs HE, Jemal A.Cancer statistics, 2022.CA Cancer J Clin.2022;72(1):7-33. doi:10.3322/caac.21708American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer risk factors.Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.Rectal cancer diagnosis.American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer screening: What are my options?
14 Sources
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.American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer signs and symptoms.National Cancer Institute.Rectal cancer treatment (PDQ)—patient version.Colon Cancer Coalition.Colon cancer symptoms.Rodriguez-Bigas M, Lin EH, Crane CH, National Library of Medicine.Colorectal cancer management.Fazeli MS, Keramati MR.Rectal cancer: A review.Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2015;29:171.UptoDate.Patient education: Rectal bleeding (blood in the stool).National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Anemia.Bosch X, Monclús E, Escoda O, et al.Unintentional weight loss: Clinical characteristics and outcomes in a prospective cohort of 2677 patients.PLoS ONE. 2017;12(4):e0175125. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175125American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Rectal cancer.Siegel R, Miller K, Jemal A.Colorectal cancer mortality rates in adults aged 20 to 54 years in the United States, 1970-2014.JAMA. 2017;318(6):572-574. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.7630Siegel RL, Miller KD, Fuchs HE, Jemal A.Cancer statistics, 2022.CA Cancer J Clin.2022;72(1):7-33. doi:10.3322/caac.21708American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer risk factors.Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.Rectal cancer diagnosis.American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer screening: What are my options?
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.
American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer signs and symptoms.National Cancer Institute.Rectal cancer treatment (PDQ)—patient version.Colon Cancer Coalition.Colon cancer symptoms.Rodriguez-Bigas M, Lin EH, Crane CH, National Library of Medicine.Colorectal cancer management.Fazeli MS, Keramati MR.Rectal cancer: A review.Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2015;29:171.UptoDate.Patient education: Rectal bleeding (blood in the stool).National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Anemia.Bosch X, Monclús E, Escoda O, et al.Unintentional weight loss: Clinical characteristics and outcomes in a prospective cohort of 2677 patients.PLoS ONE. 2017;12(4):e0175125. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175125American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Rectal cancer.Siegel R, Miller K, Jemal A.Colorectal cancer mortality rates in adults aged 20 to 54 years in the United States, 1970-2014.JAMA. 2017;318(6):572-574. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.7630Siegel RL, Miller KD, Fuchs HE, Jemal A.Cancer statistics, 2022.CA Cancer J Clin.2022;72(1):7-33. doi:10.3322/caac.21708American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer risk factors.Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.Rectal cancer diagnosis.American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer screening: What are my options?
American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer signs and symptoms.
National Cancer Institute.Rectal cancer treatment (PDQ)—patient version.
Colon Cancer Coalition.Colon cancer symptoms.
Rodriguez-Bigas M, Lin EH, Crane CH, National Library of Medicine.Colorectal cancer management.
Fazeli MS, Keramati MR.Rectal cancer: A review.Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2015;29:171.
UptoDate.Patient education: Rectal bleeding (blood in the stool).
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Anemia.
Bosch X, Monclús E, Escoda O, et al.Unintentional weight loss: Clinical characteristics and outcomes in a prospective cohort of 2677 patients.PLoS ONE. 2017;12(4):e0175125. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175125
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Rectal cancer.
Siegel R, Miller K, Jemal A.Colorectal cancer mortality rates in adults aged 20 to 54 years in the United States, 1970-2014.JAMA. 2017;318(6):572-574. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.7630
Siegel RL, Miller KD, Fuchs HE, Jemal A.Cancer statistics, 2022.CA Cancer J Clin.2022;72(1):7-33. doi:10.3322/caac.21708
American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer risk factors.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.Rectal cancer diagnosis.
American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer screening: What are my options?
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