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Colon Cancer & Back Pain

If you search for colon cancer symptoms, you won't find back pain on most of the lists. However, back pain does occur with colon cancer, especially at its most advanced stages, and patients should take it seriously.

  1. Colon Cancer Symptoms

    • Colon cancer is hard to diagnose because its symptoms often look like other illnesses, explains MedicineNet. In addition to back pain, symptoms can include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, changes in bowel habits, bloody stool, feeling like you haven't emptied your bowels, anemia, cramps or bloating.

    Back Pain

    • According to eMedicine.com, when back pain occurs with colon cancer, it's a late-stage symptom.

    Causes of Back Pain

    • Back pain with colon cancer occurs when the growing tumor in the colon stresses the muscles around it, challenging the colon's ability to push fecal matter through for elimination. The muscles around the colon, including the back muscles, assist in this hard, straining work, and the result can be muscle cramps, spasms and pain.

    Treating Back Pain

    • According to BackPainDetails.com, treatment for cancer-related back pain can include prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers as well as non-drug pain relief--hot pads, exercises, warm baths, massages, acupuncture or biofeedback.

    Remission

    • BackPainDetails.com says that if the cancer is successfully treated, your back pain will disappear, although it won't happen overnight.

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