Advanced cancers can lead to muscle spasms or cramps in the bowel and abdomen. However, cramps happen more often due to other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Colon cancer occurs when cells in the colon divide uncontrollably or do not die at the natural point in their life cycle.
Uncontrolled cell growth in the colon can form a tumor, which can cause symptoms in and around the colon. These might include bloody stools, changes in bowel habits, and unexplained fatigue and weight loss.
Involuntary muscle spasms, also known as cramps, might occur in some people with advanced cancers, along with other symptoms.
Colon spasms may be a sign of bowel cancer, but they are more likely to suggest other health problems.
If a bowel tumor grows large enough, it may block or obstruct the colon, causing cramping pains. According to Cancer Research UK, this most often occurs in people with advanced cancers for the following reasons.
- Abdominal cancers, including bowel, stomach, and ovarian cancers, can press against the bowel.
- Lung or breast cancers can spread to the abdomen and put pressure on the bowel.
- Cancer can affect the nerves that supply the bowel, changing how they work.
- A mass of material the body cannot digest collects inside the bowel.
A bowel obstruction requires emergency medical treatment.
Surgical complications are
If a doctor recommends surgery to treat a cancer, they can advise on the possible risk of abdominal adhesions and other complications.
Learn about colon cancer.
Colon spasms or cramps may feel like painful, involuntary abdominal contractions.
Depending on the cause, they may also happen alongside changes in bowel habits,
It is important to inform a doctor about any symptoms a person is experiencing, as this can help them determine which tests to order to reach an accurate diagnosis as early as possible.
Colon cancer may not cause any pain.
However, a person may experience abdominal cramps or a feeling of fullness.
Other symptoms of colon cancer can include:
- regularly straining when passing stools, even when a person has started a bowel movement
- having blood in the stool
- bleeding from the rectum
- a doctor feeling a lump, either in the abdomen or inside the rectum
The muscles lining a healthy colon contract and expand to move food and waste through the gut. However, if a health problem causes issues with how these muscles work, a person might experience colon spasms.
Rarely, colon spasms may be a sign of cancer. Other possible causes include the following:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): IBS affects the way the bowel functions. It can affect how the muscles in the colon contract, leading to changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea and constipation, as well as stomach aches, cramps, and passing mucus. These symptoms may improve after passing stool.
- Stress: Stress can be a trigger for bowel movements in some females with IBS due to higher cortisol levels, according to a
2023 cross-sectional study . - Bowel endometriosis: Bowel endometriosis causes tissue similar to the womb to develop in other parts of the body, including the colon. It
can cause spasms, as well as bowel changes, such as diarrhea, constipation, difficulty passing stools, and rectal bleeding.
Learn more about muscle spasms.
An early diagnosis is important for ensuring the best outcome with colon cancer. Even though colon cramps are commonly due to a noncancerous health problem, such as stress or IBS, a doctor should rule out anything more serious as soon as possible.
People who experience any symptoms of colon cancer for 3 weeks, including colon cramps and blood in the stool, should contact a physician.
If a person cannot stop bleeding from their rectum or they see a large amount of blood in the toilet water, they should seek immediate medical help.
What are four warning signs of colon cancer?
Four warning signs of colon cancer can include:
- bowel changes for longer than 3 weeks
- blood in stool or bleeding from the rectum
- spasms or cramps
- a feeling of fullness
As these symptoms can occur due to numerous conditions, receiving an accurate diagnosis as early as possible is important.
What medication do doctors prescribe for colon spasms?
Anticramping medications may help people with colon spasms by relaxing the intestinal muscles to relieve pain. Experts recommend
- cimetropium
- pinaverium
- otilonium
However, if the cramps occur due to a bowel obstruction, they will not resolve until removal or treatment of the obstruction.
What do colon cancer cramps feel like?
Colon cancer cramps may feel painful. Often, they do not get better and may start to get worse in people with colon cancer. Blood in the stool and bowel changes, such as diarrhea, constipation, and feelings of incomplete emptying, might occur along with colon cancer cramps.
Cancer can cause colon spasms that do not resolve or get worse, especially if the cancer is advanced and causes a bowel obstruction. This can put pressure on the bowel, causing a cramping feeling and changes to bowel habits.
More commonly, spasms or cramping occur due to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They can also happen due to stress or bowel endometriosis.
People should visit a doctor if these changes last for longer than 3 weeks, or if they notice unexplained weight loss or blood in their stools.