Colon cancer is a type of cancer that affects the large intestine, which is the lower part of the digestive system.
While doctors can often treat early-stage colon cancer successfully, managing stage four colon cancer can be a challenge due to cancer’s spread to other areas of the body.
What are the symptoms of colon cancer?
Colon cancer symptoms can vary depending on the cancer stage.
In early cancer stages, there may not be any noticeable symptoms, or they may be nonspecific and easily missed.
But as cancer grows and spreads, symptoms may include:
- fatigue (low energy) or weakness
- diarrhea or constipation
- blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
- a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowel
- abdominal pain, cramping, or discomfort
- unexplained weight loss
It is also important to note that other conditions can cause these symptoms. Additionally, not every person with colon cancer experiences the same symptoms.
If you are experiencing symptoms like these, consider speaking with a doctor as soon as possible to alleviate any worry or to ensure prompt testing and, if necessary, treatment. An oncologist is a doctor that specializes in cancer, so you may speak to one of them, or your family doctor may refer you.
Where can colon cancer spread?
Colon cancer can spread (metastasize) to other body parts through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.
Common sites of colon cancer metastasis include:
- Liver: The liver is the most common site for colon cancer to spread because the veins from the colon lead directly to the liver.
- Lungs: When colon cancer spreads to the lungs, it can cause breathing difficulties, coughing, and chest pain.
- Bones: Colon cancer can also spread to the bones, which can cause pain, fractures, and other complications.
- Brain: In rare cases, colon cancer can spread to the brain, causing headaches, seizures, and other neurological symptoms.
- Other organs: Colon cancer can also spread to other organs, such as the pancreas, kidneys, peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen), the ovaries or testicles, and the adrenal glands.
What are the symptoms if cancer has metastasized?
Cancer that has metastasized can cause a wide range of symptoms that are similar to those of primary cancer, such as:
- Pain: Metastatic cancer can cause pain in the area, or areas, it spreads to. It can also cause pain in other parts of the body.
- Fractures: Metastatic cancer can cause fractures if it spreads to the bones.
- Jaundice: This yellowing of the skin is common if cancer has spread to the liver.
- Breathing difficulties: Metastatic lung cancer can cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Neurological symptoms: Metastatic cancer that has spread to the brain or spinal cord can cause neurological symptoms such as weakness, headaches, or seizures.
What are the treatment options?
The treatment options for stage 4 colon cancer may include:
- Chemotherapy: This is the primary treatment for stage 4 colon cancer. It uses medications to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be intravenous or oral.
- Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy drugs specifically aim for proteins or genes involved in cancer cell growth. Doctors and healthcare professionals may use them with chemotherapy for advanced colon cancer.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy drugs help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. A doctor or healthcare professional may recommend this drug for advanced colon cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
- Surgery: Surgical options can remove tumors causing symptoms or developing in the liver or lungs.
- Radiation therapy: This option uses high-energy X-rays or other radiation types to kill cancer cells. It may relieve symptoms of advanced colon cancer or treat cancer that has spread to the bones.
Typically, an oncologist will recommend an individualized treatment plan for stage 4 colon cancer. This could include a combination of the above treatments and other therapies that aim to improve quality of life.
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