A patient with a colon cancer may be completely asymptomatic, present acutely, or present with symptoms that slowly evolve over time.
Clinical findings of a colorectal carcinoma may include:
(1) abdominal pain
(2) unexplained weight loss
(3) fever
(4) malaise or fatigue
(5) bowel obstruction
(6) bowel perforation with peritonitis
(7) a
change in bowel habits, with diarrhea or constipation or both
(8) blood in stool (hematochezia)
(9) pallor with iron deficiency anemia
(10) tenesmus (straining at stool, may be accompanied by a feeling of incomplete evacuation)
(11) change in stool caliber
The significance of these findings may be recognized in an older patient or someone with risk factors for colon cancer, but not in a younger adult.
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Specialty: Hematology Oncology, Surgery, general, Gastroenterology
ICD-10: ,
