Colon Cancer (CRC) Signs & Symptoms (& Why They Occur)

JJ Medicine
6 Dec 202112:20
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script provides an informative overview of colon cancer, also known as colorectal carcinoma, which affects the large intestine and rectum. It discusses the gastrointestinal system's anatomy and how colon cancer can arise from a polyp, often leading to large bowel obstruction. Risk factors include age over 50, low fiber intake, family history, and inflammatory bowel disease. The video highlights that colon cancer may be asymptomatic but, if symptoms occur, they can include abdominal pain, stool changes, bowel habit changes, weight loss, fatigue, bleeding, and anemia. It also covers the signs of large bowel obstruction, such as constipation, obstipation, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension. Additionally, the script touches on symptoms of rectal cancer and metastatic disease, emphasizing the importance of recognizing these signs for early detection and treatment. The video also promotes the use of Chegg Study for further education on the topic, highlighting its benefits for students in understanding complex medical subjects.

Takeaways
  • 📚 Colon cancer, also known as colorectal carcinoma, involves the large intestine or rectum and can affect any part of it.
  • 🔍 The cancer often arises from a polyp that may have been developing for years, and it's the fourth most common type of cancer.
  • 🧬 Genetic causes like familial adenomatous polyposis and Lynch syndrome account for about 5% of colon cancer cases.
  • 👵 Age is a significant risk factor, especially past 50, along with low fiber intake and a family history of the disease.
  • 🌟 Colon cancer can be asymptomatic, but when symptoms do occur, they often indicate advanced disease.
  • 😟 Abdominal pain is a common symptom, potentially caused by tumor obstruction or invasion into the peritoneum.
  • 💩 Changes in stool, such as thin or pencil-shaped stools, can indicate a tumor within the large intestine.
  • 🌀 Chegg Study provides educational resources that can help students learn more about colon cancer and related medical topics.
  • 🔄 Altered bowel habits, including alternation between constipation and diarrhea, can be a sign of colon cancer, especially with left-sided tumors.
  • 📉 Unexplained weight loss and fatigue are constitutional symptoms that may be present in some colon cancer patients.
  • 🩸 Bleeding, including hematochezia (bright red blood) and melena (black, tarry stool), can lead to anemia due to blood loss.
  • 🚨 Signs of large bowel obstruction such as constipation, obstipation, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension may occur with advanced colon cancer.
Q & A
  • What is colon cancer, and which parts of the body does it involve?

    -Colon cancer, also known as colorectal carcinoma or colorectal cancer, is a type of cancer that involves the large intestine and/or the rectum. It can affect any part of the large intestine, which includes the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum leading to the anus.

  • What is the most common cause of large bowel obstruction in adults?

    -Colon cancer is the most common cause of large bowel obstruction in adults. This can lead to various signs and symptoms discussed in the video.

  • What are the two main genetic causes of colon cancer?

    -The two main genetic causes of colon cancer are Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome.

  • What is the most significant risk factor for developing colon cancer?

    -The most significant risk factor for developing colon cancer is older age, particularly past the age of 50.

  • How can low fiber intake be related to colon cancer?

    -A chronic or long history of consuming a low-fiber diet can be an associated risk factor for developing colon cancer.

  • What is one of the symptoms of colon cancer that may present with advanced disease?

    -Abdominal pain is one of the symptoms of colon cancer that may present with advanced disease. It can be caused by a partial or complete obstruction by the tumor or by the tumor invading the peritoneum.

  • How can a tumor within the large intestine affect the stool?

    -A tumor within the large intestine can change the shape of the stool, making it thinner, potentially pencil-shaped, as the stool has to pass by the tumor.

  • What is the role of Chegg Study in helping students learn about complex topics like colon cancer?

    -Chegg Study provides a comprehensive study pack that helps students learn about complex topics like colon cancer. It offers a clear organization of topics, from the basics to more advanced information, and also helps improve writing and math skills.

  • What are some constitutional symptoms of colorectal cancer?

    -Some constitutional symptoms of colorectal cancer include weight loss, fatigue, and anemia due to blood loss from the tumor.

  • What is hematochezia, and how is it related to colon cancer?

    -Hematochezia is the presence of bright red blood in the stool, which is more likely to occur with left-sided colonic tumors due to the disruption of mucosal surfaces in the colon.

  • What is the significance of observing iron deficiency anemia in an older patient?

    -Observing iron deficiency anemia in an older patient is significant because it can be a sign of colon cancer, especially when other causes have been ruled out.

  • How can colon cancer spread to other parts of the body, and what are the potential signs of metastatic disease?

    -Colon cancer can spread to other parts of the body through hematogenous spread via the portal vein to the liver and via the inferior vena cava to the lungs. It can also spread through the lymphatic system, potentially leading to supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. Signs of metastatic disease may include liver disease symptoms, breathing issues, and swollen, palpable lymph nodes above the clavicles.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Introduction to Colon Cancer

This paragraph introduces the topic of colon cancer, also known as colorectal carcinoma, which affects the large intestine and rectum. It explains the gastrointestinal system's anatomy and the areas where colon cancer may occur. The paragraph also discusses the origins of colon cancer, often from a malignant growth that develops from a polyp over many years. Risk factors for colon cancer are highlighted, including age over 50, low fiber intake, family history, and inflammatory bowel disease. The importance of recognizing signs and symptoms of colon cancer is emphasized, as the disease may initially be asymptomatic but can present with abdominal pain and stool changes as it progresses.

05:01
🌟 Signs and Symptoms of Colon Cancer

The second paragraph delves into the signs and symptoms of colon cancer. It mentions that while colon cancer can initially show no symptoms, when present, they can include abdominal pain, which may be due to a tumor causing an obstruction or invading the peritoneum. Stool changes are also common, with the stool's shape potentially becoming thin or pencil-like due to the presence of a tumor. The paragraph transitions into discussing the role of Chegg Study, an educational resource that can help students learn more about colon cancer and related medical topics. It highlights the benefits of Chegg Study for improving writing and math skills, as well as providing access to a wealth of educational materials, discounts on textbooks, practice tests, and flashcards.

10:02
🔍 Advanced Symptoms and Complications of Colon Cancer

This paragraph further explores additional symptoms and complications associated with colon cancer. It discusses bowel habit changes, which may present as alternating constipation and diarrhea, and are more likely to occur with left-sided colon tumors. Weight loss is also a common symptom, attributed to cancer-related anorexia or the high energy demands of the cancer itself. Fatigue, a common constitutional symptom of colorectal cancer, is also highlighted. The paragraph continues with other signs such as bleeding, which can manifest as hematochezia (bright red blood in the stool) or melena (black, tarry, and smelly stool), and the subsequent development of anemia due to blood loss. The presence of an abdominal mass, particularly in the right lower quadrant, and signs of a large bowel obstruction, including constipation, obstipation, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension, are also covered. The paragraph concludes with potential signs of rectal cancer and metastatic disease, which can spread to the liver, lungs, and lymph nodes, causing various symptoms depending on the affected area.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Colon Cancer
Colon cancer, also known as colorectal carcinoma or colorectal cancer, is a type of cancer that involves the large intestine and rectum. It is the fourth most common type of cancer and can present with a variety of symptoms or be asymptomatic. In the video, it is the central theme, with discussions on its causes, symptoms, and the importance of awareness and detection.
💡Risk Factors
Risk factors are elements that increase the likelihood of developing a disease, such as colon cancer. In the video, several risk factors are mentioned, including older age, low fiber intake, family history of colon cancer, and a history of inflammatory bowel disease. These factors are crucial for understanding who might be more susceptible to colon cancer.
💡Asymptomatic
Asymptomatic refers to a condition where a person does not show any symptoms of a disease, even though the disease is present. In the context of the video, colon cancer may be asymptomatic, which means it can be challenging to detect without screening, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups.
💡Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain is a common symptom that can indicate various health issues, including colon cancer. In the video, it is mentioned as a potential symptom of colon cancer, possibly caused by a tumor obstructing the intestine or invading the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdominal wall.
💡Stool Changes
Stool changes refer to alterations in the appearance or consistency of feces, which can be indicative of gastrointestinal issues. In the video, changes in stool caliber, such as pencil-shaped stools, are discussed as a sign of colon cancer, particularly when a tumor within the large intestine alters the passage of stool.
💡Bowel Habit Changes
Bowel habit changes describe a shift from a person's normal pattern of bowel movements, which can include constipation or diarrhea. The video explains that these changes are more likely to occur with left-sided colon tumors and can mimic conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, especially in older individuals where it serves as a red flag for potential colon cancer.
💡Weight Loss
Weight loss is a nonspecific symptom that can be associated with various illnesses, including cancer. In the video, it is mentioned as a constitutional symptom of colorectal cancer, potentially due to cancer-related anorexia or the high energy demand of the cancer itself.
💡Fatigue
Fatigue is a common constitutional symptom of many types of cancer, including colon cancer. It is defined as a feeling of extreme tiredness or exhaustion. In the video, fatigue is highlighted as one of the most common symptoms of colorectal cancer, resulting from cancer-related changes in the body.
💡Bleeding
Bleeding in the context of colon cancer can manifest as either hematochezia (bright red blood in the stool) or melena (black, tarry, and smelly stool). The video explains that the location of the tumor (left or right side of the colon) can influence the type of bleeding experienced, which is a critical sign to monitor for potential colon cancer.
💡Anemia
Anemia is a condition characterized by a low red blood cell count or hemoglobin level, which can result from blood loss. In the video, anemia is discussed as a consequence of blood loss due to colon cancer, leading to iron deficiency anemia. It is an important diagnostic clue, especially in older patients with no apparent cause for the anemia.
💡Metastatic Disease
Metastatic disease refers to cancer that has spread from its original site to other parts of the body. The video mentions that colon cancer can spread to the liver, lungs, and lymph nodes, causing various symptoms depending on the affected organ. This is a critical aspect of understanding the progression and severity of colon cancer.
Highlights

Colon cancer, also known as colorectal carcinoma, involves the large intestine and rectum.

A malignant growth in colon cancer often arises from a pre-existing polyp.

Colon cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer, with 5% of cases attributed to genetic causes like familial adenomatous polyposis and Lynch syndrome.

Risk factors for colon cancer include older age, low fiber intake, family history, and a history of inflammatory bowel disease.

Colon cancer may be asymptomatic, but when symptoms do occur, they often indicate advanced disease.

Abdominal pain is a common symptom, potentially caused by tumor obstruction or invasion into the peritoneum.

Stool changes, such as pencil-shaped stools, can result from a tumor within the large intestine.

Chegg Study offers comprehensive educational resources on colon cancer, including basics and pathophysiology.

Bowel habit changes, including alternation between constipation and diarrhea, are more likely with left-sided colon tumors.

Weight loss and fatigue are constitutional symptoms that can occur in colorectal cancer patients.

Bleeding in colon cancer presents as hematochezia (bright red blood) or melena (black, tarry stool), leading to anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia is a significant sign in older patients and should raise suspicion for colon cancer.

Patients with colon cancer may experience weakness and a palpable abdominal mass, particularly in the right lower quadrant.

Large bowel obstruction, most commonly caused by colon cancer, presents with symptoms like constipation, obstipation, and abdominal distension.

Metastatic spread of colon cancer can impact the liver, lungs, and lymph nodes, causing various systemic symptoms.

Signs of rectal cancer include tenesmus and a sensation of incomplete evacuation due to a large tumor in the rectum.

Supraclavicular lymphadenopathy can indicate metastatic disease from colon cancer spreading through the lymphatic system.

Transcripts
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