What Are the Symptoms of Late Stage Sigmoid Colon Cancer?
Some common symptoms of late stage sigmoid colon cancer include blood in the stool that is easily visible, nausea, vomiting and abdominal swelling, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. In cases of sigmoid colon cancer, as with most colorectal cancers, symptoms may not appear in the early states of the disease.
Sigmoid colon cancer begins with a tumor or cancerous cells localized to the sigmoid colon, but it shares many common symptoms with other colorectal cancers, as stated by Johns Hopkins Medicine. In addition to readily apparent blood in the stool, patients with late stage sigmoid cancer may also experience a change in the frequency and consistency of bowel movements. Patients might also experience constant tiredness and could develop iron deficiency.
As the disease progresses and the tumor grows larger, patients may experience abdominal distension or swelling and pain. Tumors that grow large enough may obstruct the gastrointestinal tract altogether.
In the last stages, sigmoid colon cancer can become invasive and begin penetrating surrounding organs. Tumors that progress far enough may puncture the colon and penetrate the rectum, the bladder and the pelvis. Colorectal cancers of this late stage often result in significant weight loss associated with severe loss of appetite and loss of strength.
