The presence of cancerous cells in the large intestine—the colon and rectum—is known as colon/rectal cancer or colorectal cancer. The colon is the last six feet of the large intestine, and the rectum is the last six to eight inches of the colon.
Most cases of colorectal cancer occur in the colon, while only only 27 percent of cases* occur in the rectum. When cancerous cells divide, a mass of extra tissue, called a tumor, is created. A malignant [cancerous] tumor can grow large enough to invade and damage nearby normal tissues and organs, and it has the potential to spread its malignant cells through the bloodstream and the lymphatic system. These loose cancer cells can create tumors in other parts of the body.
Symptoms include:
Diarrhea, constipation or the feeling that the bowel has not emptied
Unusually narrow stools
A bloody stool
Bloating, cramping, fullness and/or frequent gas pains
Unexplained weight loss
Continuous fatigue
Vomiting
These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so it's important to consult your doctor to determine whether they are connected to colorectal cancer or some other serious condition.
Listen to Dr. Francesco Grasso talk about colorectal cancer and what you need to know:
