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Colon, or colorectal, cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon).
Other types of cancer can affect the colon, such as lymphoma, carcinoid tumors, melanoma, and sarcomas. These are rare. In this article, use of the term "colon cancer" refers to colon carcinoma only.
Symptoms
Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. The following symptoms, however, may indicate colon cancer:
- Abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen
- Blood in the stool
- Diarrhea, constipation, or other change in bowel habits
- Narrow stools
- Weight loss with no known reason
Nursing Care Plan for Colon Cancer
5 Nursing Diagnosis for Colon Cancer and Rectal Cancer - Care Plan
1. Diarrhea related to inflammation, irritation, intestinal malabsorption or partial narrowing of the intestinal lumen, secondary to the process of intestinal malignancy.
Characterized by:
- Increased bowel sounds / peristaltic
- Improved liquid defecation
- Stool color changes
- Pain / cramping abdominal
2. Imbalanced Nutrition Less Than Body Requirements related to impaired absorption of nutrients, hypermetabolic state, secondary to the process of intestinal malignancy.
Characterized by:
- Weight loss, decreased subcutaneous fat / muscle mass, poor muscle tone
- Increased bowel sounds
- Pale conjunctiva and mucous membranes
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
