Metastatic bowel cancer
Metastatic bowel cancer is cancer that started in either the back passage (rectum) or large bowel (colon) and has spread to another part of the body. It is also called advanced cancer.
The symptoms of metastatic bowel cancer can be similar to bowel cancer that hasn't spread. Other symptoms depend on which part of the body the cancer has spread to.
Read about bowel cancer symptoms
It might not mean that you have metastatic cancer if you have the symptoms described below. They can be caused by other conditions.
General symptoms of metastatic bowel cancer can include:
feeling tired
low energy levels
having less appetite
You might have any of these symptoms if the cancer has spread to your liver:
discomfort or pain on the right side of your abdomen
feeling sick
poor appetite and weight loss
swollen abdomen (called ascites)
yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
itchy skin
You may have any of these symptoms if cancer has spread to your lungs:
a cough that doesn’t go away
breathlessness
coughing up blood
a build up of fluid between the chest wall and the lung (a pleural effusion)
Find out about treatment for cancer that has spread to the lung
You may have any of these symptoms if your cancer has spread to the bones:
an ache or pain in the affected bone
a weakened bone which is more prone to break or fracture
Sometimes when bones are damaged by metastatic cancer, the bones release calcium into the blood. This is called hypercalcaemia and can cause various symptoms such as:
tiredness
feeling sick (nausea)
constipation
irritability
thirst
confusion
Find out about treatment for cancer that has spread to the bones
Treatments such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy can sometimes shrink the cancer and reduce symptoms.
Find out about controlling symptoms
Your doctor or specialist nurse can:
give you medicines
help you to get the equipment that you need
suggest other ways of controlling your symptoms
refer you to a symptom control team (a palliative care team)
There are symptom control teams in most cancer units. They can help you to stay as well as possible for as long as possible. They are also in hospices and many general hospitals.
Most symptom control teams have home care services so they can visit you at home.
Last reviewed: 29 Nov 2024
Next review due: 29 Nov 2027
Metastatic bowel cancer is cancer that has spread from the back passage (rectum) and large intestines (colon) to other parts of the body, such as the liver. It is also called advanced cancer. Treatment includes chemotherapy, surgery, targeted cancer drugs and radiotherapy.
The aim of treatment for metastatic bowel cancer is usually to reduce symptoms, make you feel better and sometimes help you live longer.
Symptoms of metastatic bowel cancer can include sickness, pain, loss of appetite and bowel problems. There are treatments that can help.
If you have metastatic bowel cancer there is information and support available to you, your family and friends.
Bowel cancer means cancer that starts in the colon (large bowel) or back passage (rectum). It is also known as colorectal cancer.
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