Apart from feeling exhausted, my elderly father was not complaining of any other symptoms before being diagnosed with cancer of the colon and rectum. Was his lack of symptoms typical of colon cancer?
Cancer of the colon or rectum usually grows slowly and may not cause symptoms for some time. The symptoms experienced will depend greatly on the type and extent of the cancer and its location.
Weakness and fatigue commonly result from anaemia due to bleeding from the back passage. Most colon cancers cause bleeding, but the blood streaked within the stools makes it difficult to detect without microscopic examination.
Known as occult bleeding, it is hard to see with the naked eye.
Tumours in the left descending colon can cause an obstruction at an earlier stage, while cancers that encircle a section of the colon can produce alternative symptoms of frequent bowel motions and constipation.
Tumours on the right side of the colon, which is larger and wider, typically cause obstruction late in the course of the illness.
Other symptoms include abdominal cramps, faecal urgency, a sensation of incomplete emptying of a bowel movement, weight loss and pain.
Thankfully the tumour was successfully removed and a permanent colostomy bag was fitted as part of his treatment. Can you explain how a colostomy works?
The type of surgical treatment performed for cancer of the colon will depend on the site of the tumour.
Most will involve the removal of the cancerous section of the intestine followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
In some cases, the remaining ends of the intestine are then joined together.
However, where the cancer involves the lower part of the colon and rectum, these will be removed and a colostomy performed.
A colostomy is the name given to the procedure where the cancerous section of the colon is removed and the healthy end connected to the large intestine is joined to a surgically created opening in the abdominal wall.
The contents of the intestine then empties through this opening into a disposable bag.
More extensive information and support for those with colostomies is available from the Colostomy Care Group, the Irish Cancer Society at tel: 1800 200700 or at support@irishcancer.ie