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Signs and Symptoms of Stage III Colon Cancer

Colon cancer originates in the large intestine or the rectum. This cancer usually begins as benign polyps. Over time, the polyps may slowly develop into cancer. If you have experienced colorectal polyps or Crohn’s disease, your chances of getting colon cancer increase. Signs of stage III colon cancer are found only through diagnostic tests such as a colonoscopy. Stage III is categorized into three groups. These levels are stage IIIA, stage IIIB, and stage IIIC. The stages tell where the cancer is located, where it has spread, and how many lymph nodes are affected.

  1. Signs of Stage IIIA Colon Cancer

    • If you are in stage IIIA, the cancer has spread from the innermost tissue layer of the colon wall to the middle layers. It will also have spread to three lymph nodes.

    Signs of Stage IIIB Colon Cancer

    • Stage IIIB cancer has spread past the middle tissue layer of the colon wall. It can also spread to nearby tissues around the colon or rectum. It may also have spread past the colon wall and gone into the nearby organs.

    Signs of Stage IIIC Colon Cancer

    • Stage IIIC cancer has spread to four or more lymph nodes. It may have spread to or past the middle tissue layers of the colon wall, or to nearby tissues surrounding the colon or rectum. Nearby organs may now have cancer.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of stage III colon cancer remain about the same through all stages. You may experience some of these problems or none at all. You may have diarrhea or constipation lasting more than a couple of weeks. You may find blood in the stool or discover you are bleeding from the rectum. The blood may look bright red or almost black in color. You may feel as though you need to have a bowel movement even though you just had one. You may have stools that are thinner than normal. You may experience cramps, have a persistent pain in the lower abdomen, or suffer from gas pains or bloating. Your abdominal region may feel constantly full, or you may experience a sudden weight loss without dieting. You may have a constant feeling of tiredness or fatigue. Your red blood cells may decrease (anemia). You may have nausea and vomiting. Emotionally, people with cancer may exhibit signs of anger, frustration, or depression.

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