Colon Cancer Symptoms and Stages

5. Stage II symptoms

Stage 2 colon cancer has substages depending on where the cancer has moved to. It may be present at the outermost layer of the colon wall, or it can advance to nearby tissue. Symptoms from Stage 1 may become more pronounced. Bowel movement frequency may increase or decrease, and the normal solutions for constipation or diarrhea may not work. Stool can become narrower than usual, or tar-like in both color and consistency.

The presence of dark blood in stool suggests blood may be coming from higher up the bowel, whereas bright red blood could be due to less concerning hemorrhoids or anal fissures.