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Are Blood In Stool And Irregular Bowel Movement Indicative Of Colon Cancer?

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Posted on Tue, 21 Jun 2016
Question: Hi
I am worried about some colon cancer symptoms: blood mixed with stool, irregular bowel movements, abdominal discomfort
I had a colonoscopy 9 months ago - results were normal, no haemorrhoids.. GI not concerned.
Recently went back (still have symptoms) for sigmoidoscopy - also normal. Now having another colonoscopy. Blood test results showed APT at 69 (this is normal range but my APT from 2 years ago was 41) Is this significant? No Anemia. My GI does not think I have cancer. I am so worried.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Hanif (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The best next step is Colonoscopy and is justified approach of diagnosis !!

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to HCM. I appreciate your health concerns and the sensitivity of the issues you have. Thanks for consulting this health forum. Your trust in HCM means a lot to me as a Physician.

I have thoroughly worked through your case and can well establish the genuine medical concerns you have. In such a case the best next step is COLONOSCOPY as this can be the answer to many of your doubts right now.

Patient says differently regarding stool changes. But in cancer of the colon there can be different consistency, caliber and movements as they were before. Also there may be blood with stools, anemia is very prominent in such patients. Other symptoms may include weight loss, change in digestion and appetite usually anorexia and general cachexia. On the basis of symptoms, it doesn't seem to be cancer but nothing can be said for sure unless we have the colonoscopy results in hand. If a patient has so long history of bleeding then colorectal cancer is least likely.

I also recommend for you the upper GI Endoscopy as mostly we have patients having issues either with:
Upper GI Tract.
OR
Starting portion of the Colon that is well screened on upper GI-Endoscopy.

Recommendation is that for patients aged between 40-50 years, with symptoms like you have, we need to go for Sigmoidoscopy first. And, if there isn't any source of bleeding found on that, Colonoscopy is a must to be carried out.


The APT isn't much significant in this case. Different labs have different ranges to be normal and people on blood thinners (medications) can have upto 3 times higher values.

Hope it helps. I am always here to respond to your follow up queries. In future for any kind of medical assistance, Please feel free to visit me directly through the following link:
tinyurl.com/drhanifmd


Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Hanif (16 hours later)
Thank you for your reply. Would it be correct to say that if intermittent bleeding started in early August 2015, and if this bleeding was caused by cancer than the amount would have steadily increased????? I would very likely be anemic by now?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Hanif (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Yes anemia is an obvious sign in such kind of cancerous lesions if any!!!

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back with this follow up query. I appreciate your continued trust in HCM. After reviewing your health query I want to add that, yes for colonic cancers anemia is one of the signs alongwith many others I aforementioned. Anemia Of Chronic Disease is a manifestation of many GI Tract tumors.

It doesn't look like to be carcinoma but as I said earlier too, colonoscopy is a must have right now. You should consider it as soon as possible.

Hope it helps. If this suffices here, you are free to click on Close the Discussion and to add your precious feedback. For future quick medical reference: tinyurl.com/drhanifmd

Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Hanif (5 hours later)
Thanks again. Last question. Do you have any suggestions of what could be the cause of these symptoms.
Blood mixed with stool was the initial symptom, a week or two later cramps, bloating , irregular loose bm. This lasted for 2 weeks. Then I had colonoscopy which was normal but no cause for blood found. Small amounts of blood in stool continued randomly for 7 months. Now bm very loose with mucous, blood. Abdominal bloating and pain. No anemia.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Hanif (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Can be IBS-Diarrhea predominant or anything else until confirmed !!!

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back with a follow up query. I appreciate you provided all the details of your health issue.


It can be IBS-Diarrhea predominant where there is a Pandora box of symptoms like you have right now.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammation of superficial layers of intestines that may render the symptoms as you feel right now.

It is actually very early to comment with confidence regarding the diagnosis unless we have the fresh colonoscopy reports.

Hope it helps. Feel free to consult me anytime directly from my direct link: tinyurl.com/drhanifmd
Clink on Close the Discussion or ask follow up queries if further assistance is needed. I pray for the best of times ahead for you.

Regards!
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Muhammad Hanif

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 2369 Questions

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Are Blood In Stool And Irregular Bowel Movement Indicative Of Colon Cancer?

Brief Answer: The best next step is Colonoscopy and is justified approach of diagnosis !! Detailed Answer: Welcome to HCM. I appreciate your health concerns and the sensitivity of the issues you have. Thanks for consulting this health forum. Your trust in HCM means a lot to me as a Physician. I have thoroughly worked through your case and can well establish the genuine medical concerns you have. In such a case the best next step is COLONOSCOPY as this can be the answer to many of your doubts right now. Patient says differently regarding stool changes. But in cancer of the colon there can be different consistency, caliber and movements as they were before. Also there may be blood with stools, anemia is very prominent in such patients. Other symptoms may include weight loss, change in digestion and appetite usually anorexia and general cachexia. On the basis of symptoms, it doesn't seem to be cancer but nothing can be said for sure unless we have the colonoscopy results in hand. If a patient has so long history of bleeding then colorectal cancer is least likely. I also recommend for you the upper GI Endoscopy as mostly we have patients having issues either with: Upper GI Tract. OR Starting portion of the Colon that is well screened on upper GI-Endoscopy. Recommendation is that for patients aged between 40-50 years, with symptoms like you have, we need to go for Sigmoidoscopy first. And, if there isn't any source of bleeding found on that, Colonoscopy is a must to be carried out. The APT isn't much significant in this case. Different labs have different ranges to be normal and people on blood thinners (medications) can have upto 3 times higher values. Hope it helps. I am always here to respond to your follow up queries. In future for any kind of medical assistance, Please feel free to visit me directly through the following link: tinyurl.com/drhanifmd Regards!