20 years old, extremely worried.

[ang121]

Hello everyone, sorry for the long post but I need help.

I am a 20 year old who has been suffering from constant 24/7 pelvic ache for over a month. A little over a month ago, I woke up and felt an ache all over my low pelvic region (below waistline). Its a vague dull ache that is centralized around the pubic bone/rectum.

I have noticed the pain gets stronger right before I am about to release gas. Recently the past few days I even have an occasional heavy feeling in the rectum and a feeling as is somethings there occasionally when passing gas. The ache is constant, and I am extremely worried I have a rectal cancer since it gets worse before passing gas. My bowels are quite normal, no blood, normal color etc. No constipation or diarrhea. Ive been taking an increase in fiber to help with digestion last 2 weeks so now I have consistent bowel movements every day rather then every other day. Thus, my bowels are smaller and narrower now, but still around an inch in diameter at least.

I have gotten physical examinations, blood work, urine tests, and bone scan which all came back completely normal. I also got a Abdomen pelvis CAT scan a couple weeks ago, which showed nothing except some stool in the rectosigmoid junction. Could this have been confused with a tumor? Would a rectal tumor show up on a CAT scan? Based upon my symptoms, is rectal cancer likely? I plan on getting a colonoscopy done soon, but the symptoms and lack of diagnosis are stressing me out. What could this possibly be? Thank you so much for reading this.

[O Stoma Mia]

How soon will you be able to schedule a colonoscopy? I think that a colonoscopy may help determine a diagnosis, and the sooner the better.

Do you think that there's a chance that there is still a stool mass in your recto-sigmoid junction? If so, they may not be able to do a complete colonoscopy, unless the colonoscopy prep procedure manages to dislodge the stool mass. In any event, if there is a tissue mass at the recto-sigmoid junction, they will be able to biopsy it to see just what is going on.

[ang121]

I will be able to get a colonoscopy next week i believe. My concern is do my symptoms match rectal cancer? My main symptom is just the dull ache in pelvis. My stools are still normal. Thanks.

[PGLGreg]

I'd guess that rectal cancer is unlikely. But do get that colonoscopy, preferably from a gastroenterologist, who may be able to treat whatever you have going on in your bowel.

[ang121]

Ok thanks for the reply. I am getting the colonoscopy by a GI next week. Does rectal cancer usually cause bowel synptoms? Because my bowels are still normal, i am just having the pelvic pain. Thanks.

[CRguy]

Thanks.

You are most welcome here ... BUTT you did not state your gender.

NON-discript symptoms in the lower abdomen MUST always be investigated for ovarian/uterine issues AS WELL as recto-sigmoid issues

IF you are a guy you are probably Ok for these
if you are a girl, you NEED to make sure they are checked out

In any event, any qualified MD who knows YOU as a patient should be able to advise you of what EXACTLY you need to have checked out.
Our members here are NOT doctors so you NEED to get a proper diagnosis from yours.

Best wishes
CRguy

[ang121]

Sorry for not mentioning I am a male. Thank you for the feedback.

[O Stoma Mia]

I will be able to get a colonoscopy next week i believe. My concern is do my symptoms match rectal cancer? My main symptom is just the dull ache in pelvis. My stools are still normal. Thanks.

My only symptom was the same as yours -- a dull ache in the pelvic area, not really a pain, just a discomfort that wouldn't go away. My colonoscopy revealed a T4b tumor that had grown outside the rectum and had invaded several adjacent organs.

For your up-coming colonoscopy, here are some sources you can read in preparation. The most important point is to follow the prep instructions carefully in order to insure a "squeaky clean" colon that will allow the doctor to see all of the details clearly. If your problem is indeed in the rectum or colon, the doctor will be able to see what it is and take pictures of the affected area.

There are several options for prep solution, some of which are easier to handle than others. You can ask your doctor to prescribe one of the less distasteful ones.

http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=59184&p=468088#p468088
.

[ang121]

Wow thank you very much for the feedback and the links about the colonoscopy. I will get it next week. Would a CT scan show a rectal tumor that has gone past the colon? Thanks again for your feedback.

[menreeq]

Regarding whether stool can look like a mass on CT, it depends. Usually not, but I don't know if you had a CT with IV and oral contrast. It would also depend on whether contrast reached the rectum. If the underlying question is -- "could I have a negative CT and still have CRC," the answer is yes. Colonoscopy is the best test for CRC. A CT could detect extension beyond the serosa of the GI tract and invasion into adjacent organs. However, staging of CRC is more nuanced than that, in terms of determining invasion beyond certain layers of the GI tract wall.

I think that it's probably best to try not to worry before the colonoscopy. The CT was obtained to evaluate abdominal pain. Absence of an answer is frustrating but not all abdominal pain can be explained. At the very least, the CT is reassuring in that it didn't show disseminated disease.

Good luck on your c-scope.

[ang121]

Hi, i appreciate your response and it has helped me calm down. Thank you. I had the CT scan with IV contrast. And yeah, at the very least even if the Ct scan cant detect CRC it means I should have nothing outside of colon. My family thinks im crazy for worrying about CRC given we have zero family history and im just turning 20 with no obvious symptoms but gas and pain. I appreciate all the feedback from the forum and I will update after my colonoscopy next week.

[O Stoma Mia]

I agree with menreeq. There are different kinds of scanning procedures used in colorectal cancer. Each modality has its pro's and con's. When they are working on a diagnosis, they may use a combination of imaging methods to try to home in on the cause. Ultimately, though, if the problem concerns something in the colon/rectum itself, then I think it is a colonoscopy that is needed.

Medical Imaging Primer
http://www.medicalimaging.org/about-mita/medical-imaging-primer/

[DarknessEmbraced]

I hope your colonoscopy goes well and that you get answers soon!*hugs*

[ang121]

thank you! will update tuesday evening after colonoscopy.
I called my GI and he thinks CRC is unlikely given I have normal stools and I am 20, but
I will know for sure after the scope.

[Atoq]

Good luck with the coloscopy!

Best

Claudia