Difficult to distinguish colon cancer from common digestive disorders

An 81-year-old male patient came to the hospital with symptoms of dull abdominal pain in the lower abdomen, left iliac fossa, bloody mucus in the stool, weight loss and was diagnosed with late stage metastatic sigmoid colon cancer.

Difficult to distinguish colon cancer from common digestive disorders

An 81-year-old male patient came to the hospital with symptoms of dull abdominal pain in the lower abdomen, left iliac fossa, bloody mucus in the stool, weight loss and was diagnosed with late stage metastatic sigmoid colon cancer.

Recently, Medlatec General Clinic received male patient D.KT (81 years old, Hanoi ) for examination with symptoms of dull abdominal pain in the lower abdomen, left iliac fossa, bloody and mucous stools, and weight loss of 2kg in 3 months.

If you notice any unusual signs warning of the disease, you should immediately go for a medical examination and perform in-depth tests to avoid missing out, promptly detect the disease and increase the success rate of treatment if you are unfortunate enough to get it.

At the Clinic, patients are assigned to perform blood tests, diagnostic imaging, and functional tests to serve the diagnosis.

Complete blood cell analysis showed hypochromic microcytic red blood cells and increased percentage of monocytes. Routine abdominal X-ray showed air-fluid levels (monitoring for intestinal obstruction).

The patient was indicated for abdominal CT scan and colonoscopy. The abdominal CT scan results showed sigmoid colon tumor, adjacent lymph nodes, osteolytic lesion of L3 vertebral body (indicating secondary lesion) and small nodule of right adrenal gland.

Colonoscopy results revealed that the end of the colon had an ulcerated mass with a jagged surface, prone to bleeding, occupying almost the entire circumference of the rectum.

The doctor performed a biopsy for histopathological examination, the result was moderately differentiated, invasive adenocarcinoma.

Based on the tests, imaging diagnosis and functional examinations performed, the doctor diagnosed the patient with sigmoid colon cancer, stage T3N1M1 (late stage with metastasis).

The patient was transferred to the Specialized Hospital for surgery to remove the colon cancer and create an artificial anus, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

According to statistics from the Global Cancer Organization GLOBOCAN in 2022, colorectal cancer is the 4th most common cancer in Vietnam and the 5th leading cause of cancer deaths. However, if detected early, the disease has a high cure rate.

Doctor Hoang Minh Toai, Internal Medicine specialist, Medlatec Healthcare System said that the sigmoid colon is a part of the large intestine, located closest to the anus and rectum. This part is very vulnerable to diseases such as polyps, inflammation, cancer...

Sigmoid colon cancer progresses silently with early warning signs such as abdominal pain, bloody stools, and weight loss, but is often overlooked because the symptoms are easily confused with common digestive disorders.

Sigmoid colon cancer is often caused by colon polyps: Statistics show that more than 50% of sigmoid colon cancers originate from polyps that have existed in the colon for a long time. The more polyps there are, the higher the incidence of sigmoid colon cancer.

Chronic colon disease: Ulcerative colitis, ulcerative colitis... if not treated thoroughly for a long time will progress to chronic and potentially cause cancer.

Diet: People who eat little fiber and lots of fat and animal protein will cause anaerobic bacteria in the colon to change, and cholesterol and bile acids will turn into carcinogens.

Genetic factors: Research shows that people with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are more likely to develop cancer.

Some warning signs that you may have unfortunately contracted colon cancer include abdominal pain.

Anorexia, bloating, indigestion, prolonged digestive disorders. Bowel disorders, bloody mucus in stools. Fatigue, weakness. Abnormal weight loss.

Doctors recommend that if people notice any unusual signs warning of the disease, they should immediately go for a medical examination and perform in-depth tests to avoid missing out, promptly detect the disease and increase the success rate of treatment if they are unfortunate enough to contract it.

At the same time, people with risk factors such as colon polyps, a history of ulcerative colitis, family members with the disease... should have a plan for regular check-ups and screenings every 1-2 years so that the disease can be controlled as soon as possible.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/kho-phan-biet-ung-thu-dai-trang-voi-roi-loan-tieu-hoa-thong-thuong-d228582.html