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How does colorectal cancer affect the digestive system?
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digestive system disease
Learn why eating large meals can cause bloating, heartburn, and discomfort.
Colorectal cancer affects the digestive system by causing uncontrolled cell growth within the large intestine or rectum. As the disease progresses, it impacts digestive function and elimination in several ways:2
- Obstruction: Tumors can compress the colonic lumen, leading to physical blockages.1
- Structural Damage: Cancers may attach to neighboring structures, causing pain, or perforate the intestinal wall, which can result in peritonitis.1
- Elimination Issues: Patients often experience significant changes in bowel habits, including persistent diarrhea or constipation, as well as rectal bleeding or blood in the stool.2
- Systemic Effects: The disease can cause abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and jaundice. In advanced stages, it may metastasize to distant organs such as the liver, lungs, or bones.21
Treatment may require surgical intervention, such as a colostomy, to manage waste removal when the lower digestive tract is compromised. Early detection through screening is critical for improving prognosis.12