Colon Cancer Abdominal Pain

hazelotus · New User Joined: 05 May 2007 Posts: 4

I've had abdominal pain since I was very young, it is located all around my belly and it occurs randomly every couple of days. I've experienced this for about ten years, and have never had extensive testing. Due to blood on tissue when I use the bathroom, my doctor referred me to a specialist who is going to perform a sigmoidoscopy next week to screen for colon cancer.

[b]It is my understanding that colon cancer pain is centralized around the colon, which is not necessarily in the center of the belly where I feel pain... I would like to ask anyone who has been diagnosed with colon cancer if they could please give me some insight to the type of abdominal pain symptoms they experienced. Thanks so much, I will appreciate any input.
[/b]
Janessa

rlee · Site Admin Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 245

hazelotus,
I haven't had colon cancer, but let me explain about abdominal pain. Nerves in the abdomen are very nonspecific, thus pain due to colon cancer or an appendicitis are often general stomach pains. This is called referred pain. Thus stomach ulcers and colon cancer will be felt similar. Only when things are very advanced and inflamed do the symptoms become more localized. Of note, colon cancer usually doesn't cause pain unless there is a 2ndary complication like obstruction or perforation. Continue with your medical evaluation. Good luck.
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Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions.

hazelotus · New User Joined: 05 May 2007 Posts: 4

Thank you so much for making that clear to me. However, in the event that the sigmoidoscopy doesn't yield anything conclusive, much like the results of my ct scans, pelvic exams, ultrasounds, etc. is there any other means of diagnosis that you suppose I could ask my doctor about? This pain has plagued me for the bulk of my life, and I'd at least like to know what's causing it if nothing else. Are there any tests you think I'd be wise to inquire about?

cptmac · Experienced user Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 53

Let's see if the MD on here will agree, but perhaps you may want to try getting a colonoscopy.

I can attest to the fact that you will have no symptoms with colon cancer. I have problems with allergies and went to a walk in clinic. The Dr. there suggested I get a colonoscopy to ensure I didn't have IBS or Chron's etc.
A colonoscopy will look at your entire colon. A sigmoidoscopy will just look at the lower portion near your sigmoid.

Good luck...

rlee · Site Admin Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 245

Agree, colonoscopy would be preferred.
_________________
RLee, MD

Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions.

hazelotus · New User Joined: 05 May 2007 Posts: 4

My sigmoidoscopy is this Friday, so I will let everyone know how it goes. I'm almost more scared of getting no news than bad news. I want to know what causes this pain. Is anyone knowledgeable about cancer of the small intestine?

hazelotus · New User Joined: 05 May 2007 Posts: 4

Doctor decided to do a colonoscopy instead when I got there, and everything seemed normal. Was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (which I was afraid of hearing because it's so general, therefore harder to treat), and he said the bleeding could be from inflammation (however the visual screening didn't reveal any). So I was prescribed Librax for spastic colitis, and it seems to be working pretty well so far. Thanks for all of your help and support everyone Smile

brainman · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 3:10 am Post subject: Re: Colon Cancer Abdominal Pain

Hazelotus, I am glad to hear that you do not have cancer. IBS is bad enough and is a chronic condition... like my dependence on medications to reduce the risk of seizures secondary to brain cancer and surgical damage, you too will be on medication and restricted diet for the rest of your life Sad

. That is the bad news. The good news (other than the fact that you do not have cancer) is that others with IBS live productive and meaningful lives with IBS. I would suggest that you look for a website with a forum related to IBS. I am sure their must be one. Good luck and God bless you.
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