Cancer: An oncologist talked about the feeling that patients have several years before the diagnosis

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Cancer is a complex disease that manifests itself in many ways. Pronounced changes in normal body functions are usually one of the first signs that cause suspicion. Sometimes patients suffer symptoms that last for several years before a diagnosis is made.

Symptoms can vary with each type of cancer, usually reflecting the organ or cell affected. However, two forms of cancer that cause similar symptoms are colon cancer and rectal endocrine tumors (NEOs).

“Most people with NEOs of the colon or rectum have no symptoms. Doctors often diagnose them when they're doing tests for something else,” explains the oncologist.

The four most common complaints from patients are rectal bleeding, loose stools, unexplained weight loss, and pain.

“You may have pain that comes and goes. Some people experience pain for several years before they are diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer.”

Cancer often affects the colon and rectum, but the condition can also occur in some other places in the body.

“When you have symptoms, they are usually caused by cancer growth. Or the spread of the tumor to other parts of the body. You may have symptoms caused by a hormone produced by the tumor, but this is rare.

When tumors are allowed to grow, they can block the bowel, causing crampy abdominal pain. It can also cause bloating, constipation, inability to expectorate and feeling unwell.