Colorectal Cancer, Metastatic Or Recurrent: Symptoms

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Symptoms

Some people who have metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer do not have any symptoms. When they do appear, the most common symptoms are:

• A change in bowel habits, such as narrow stools or frequent diarrhea or constipation.
• Blood in the stool, or stools that look like black tar.
• Loss of appetite.
• Pain in the belly.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Constant fatigue.

If your cancer has spread, you may have other symptoms, depending on where the cancer is. If it has spread to:

• The lymph nodes of your abdomen, it may cause bloating, a swollen belly, loss of appetite, or a feeling of fullness.
• The liver, it may cause pain on the upper right side of your abdomen, bloating, loss of appetite, or a feeling of fullness.
• The lungs, it may cause coughing, spitting up blood, or a hard time breathing.
• The bones, it may cause bone pain, especially in the back, hips, and pelvis.
• The brain, it may cause problems with memory, concentration, balance, or movement.

Last updated:	October 01, 2008
Author:	Bets Davis, MFA
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC