Colon Cancer Symptoms & Signs
With proper screening, colon cancer should be detected BEFORE the
development of symptoms, when it is most curable.
Most cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. The following symptoms,
however, may indicate colon cancer:
·       Diarrhea, constipation, or other change in bowel habits that
does not resolve
·       Blood in the stool
·       Unexplained anemia (anemia in any adults other than
menstruating women should almost always be evaluated by a
colonoscopy)
·       Abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen
·       Intestinal obstruction
·       Weight loss with no known reason
·       Stools narrower than usual
Some citations in the text of this section are followed by a level of
evidence. The PDQ editorial boards use a formal ranking system to help
the reader judge the strength of evidence linked to the reported
results of a therapeutic strategy. Refer to the PDQ levels of evidence
summary for more information.
Cancer of the colon is a highly treatable and often curable disease
when localized to the bowel. It is the second most frequently
diagnosed malignancy in the United States as well as the second most
common cause of cancer death. Surgery is the primary treatment and
results in cure in approximately 50% of patients. Recurrence following
surgery is a major problem and often is the ultimate cause of death.
The prognosis of colon cancer is clearly related to the degree of
penetration of the tumor through the bowel wall and the presence or
absence of nodal involvement. These 2 characteristics form the basis
for all staging systems developed for this disease. Bowel obstruction
and bowel perforation are indicators of poor prognosis. Elevated
pretreatment serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have a
negative prognostic significance. Many other prognostic markers have
been evaluated retrospectively in the prognosis of patients with colon
cancer, although most have not been prospectively validated. Age
greater than 65 years at presentation is not a contraindication to
standard therapies; acceptable morbidity and mortality, as well as
long-term survival, are achieved in this patient population.
Because of the frequency of the disease, the identification of high-
risk groups, the demonstrated slow growth of primary lesions, the
better survival of early-stage lesions, and the relative simplicity
and accuracy of screening tests, screening for colon cancer should be
a part of routine care for all adults starting at age 50 years,
especially for those with first-degree relatives with colorectal
cancer. There are groups that have a

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