Two months before hospitalization, the patient had continuous abdominal pain, poor appetite, and rapid weight loss. She sought care at Bach Mai Hospital, where a colonoscopy revealed an ulcerative, bleeding mass.

On 5/3, Doctor Pham Cam Phuong, Director of the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, reported that the endoscopy identified a large, high rectal tumor, causing narrowing of the rectum and easy bleeding. A biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of stage 3A rectal cancer.

The patient underwent surgery to resect the sigmoid colon and rectum, including lymph node dissection and the creation of a colostomy. Four weeks post-surgery, the patient recovered stably, and a multidisciplinary board recommended adjuvant chemotherapy for further treatment.

Illustration of a colon cancer tumor. Photo: Adobe Stock

According to doctors, weight loss is one of the common signs in many cancer patients. The American Society of Clinical Oncology advises that approximately 40% of patients diagnosed with cancer experience unexplained weight loss; up to 80% of patients with late-stage cancer suffer from weight loss and cachexia. Data from Cancer Research UK indicates that 80% of individuals with pancreatic, esophageal, or stomach cancer experienced significant weight loss at diagnosis; for lung cancer, this figure was 60%.

Colorectal cancer is a common malignancy, ranking as the 4th most prevalent cancer in Vietnam according to GLOBOCAN 2022. Radical surgery remains the primary treatment, playing a decisive role in the long-term prognosis for patients with early-stage rectal cancer. However, in advanced or metastatic stages, adjuvant chemotherapy is crucial, helping to prolong disease control, improve overall survival, and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Doctors advise individuals over 50, heavy smokers, frequent alcohol consumers, and those with a family history of stomach or colon cancer to undergo annual gastrointestinal cancer screenings.

Thuy An