Sometimes cancer appears with symptoms that aren’t very common or don’t seem serious at first. Even so, these changes may be an important signal that something needs a closer look by a medical professional. Acting quickly when unusual symptoms appear may make a meaningful difference, helping doctors diagnose cancer earlier and begin treatment right away.
Keep reading to discover how one midwestern patient found out she had colorectal cancer after experiencing very rare symptoms and the basics on uncommon cancer symptoms, including:
- Unusual signs of colon cancer
- Cancer found during colonoscopy
- Swift hemicolectomy in Chicago
- Genetic testing for cancer mutations
- Colon cancer screening and treatment in Chicago
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and are looking for a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-524-4673.
Unusual Signs of Colon Cancer
The patient went to her doctor with hoarseness and trouble swallowing, which eventually led to a colon cancer diagnosis
Most people wouldn’t think trouble swallowing (dysphagia) and hoarseness are typical symptoms of colon cancer. They’re more commonly linked to other conditions. However, in rare cases they may be connected to colon cancer.
Patients with colon cancer are more likely to experience symptoms such as blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits, abdominal discomfort, bloating and fatigue.
Cancer Found During Colonoscopy
The patient was given an endoscopic procedure to determine the source of her dysphagia and hoarseness. Because she met the screening guidelines, she also had a colonoscopy, which revealed two polyps in her colon. Both were removed for testing — one was benign, but the other confirmed the presence of cancer.
Her diagnosis was Stage 1 colon cancer.
Swift Hemicolectomy in Chicago
After consulting with Ajaz M. Khan, M.D., M.B.A., C.P.E., chief of medical oncology, and Shen Li, M.D., surgical oncologist, at City of Hope® Cancer Center Chicago, the patient chose to proceed with a hemicolectomy — removing one side of the colon, followed by reconnecting the healthy parts of the intestine so the digestive system may keep working normally.
The surgery took place just a week after her diagnosis, with no cancer found in the lymph nodes.
Genetic Testing for Cancer Mutations
The patient was 47 years old and had no family history of colon cancer. Because she did have a family history of breast cancer, she underwent genetic testing.
No mutations were found, highlighting just how important screening and early detection are — even when there’s no clear genetic risk.
Colon Cancer Screening and Treatment in Chicago
Speed to care matters, whether it’s screening, diagnosis or treatment, Dr. Khan says.
“That’s why we offer colonoscopies in as little as one week — the sooner we know exactly what’s going on with the patient, the sooner we can act,” he says.
At locations in Lake County, downtown Chicago and the North Shore, City of Hope Chicago offers screening technologies and leading-edge treatment for colorectal cancer, including:
- Colonoscopies, which are the gold standard for screening for colorectal cancer — in as little as one week, and results within 24 to 48 hours
- AI-enabled technology, helping detect colonic polyps, adenomas and cancerous or precancerous lesions in real-time during colonoscopies
- Disease-specific experts, treatments, technologies and clinical trials — under one roof — at the City of Hope Chicago Gastrointestinal Cancer Center
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and are looking for a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-524-4673.