Signs that a person may have intestinal cancer are lumps in the abdomen, bloody stools, jaundice, unexplained weight loss, nausea, lack of appetite, and pain in the abdomen after meals. A person who has all or any of these symptoms may not necessarily have intestinal cancer. Health problems like peptic ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome have symptoms that are similar. It is very important for a person experiencing any of these problems to see a doctor to determine the root cause.
The symptoms a person experiences with intestinal cancer differ depending on how advanced the disease is. If someone is in the very early stages of the disease, nausea, bloating, and minor discomfort after meals may be the only problems that are noticeable. After the disease gets into the advanced stages, a person might begin to notice things like blood in the stool and unexplained weight loss.
If a doctor determines that the symptoms a person is experiencing are not related to other medical conditions, he may decide to do a CT scan or abdominal ultrasound to look for cancer and other abnormalities in the intestines. Scope procedures, such as a colonoscopy or an endoscopy, might also be necessary. Both procedures allow the doctor a closer look at the upper and lower intestines which may help determine to what extent the cancer has spread if it is present. If intestinal cancer is diagnosed, the next step would be to determine what type of treatment is needed.
Treatment options typically vary depending on the stage of the disease. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are the most common intestinal cancer treatments. In most cases, surgery is required in order to physically remove some or all of the cancer. If surgery isn't possible, radiation or chemotherapy may be necessary to destroy tumors or slow down their growth.
Chances of surviving intestinal cancer are better if the cancer is diagnosed in the early stages and if the lymph nodes are not involved. People with Crohn's and Celiac disease are at greater risk for developing this type of cancer, and should seek medical attention immediately at the first sign of any suspicious symptoms. It is also important for anyone with a family history of cancer in the intestines to be aware of strange symptoms due to the hereditary nature of the disease. Some tips that anyone can use that may reduce their chances of developing intestinal cancer are to limit consumption of alcohol, fat, sugar, and smoked or salted meats.
