Final answer:
Right-sided (ascending) colon cancer and left-sided (recto-sigmoid) colon cancer differ in their physical location within the colon and the symptoms they commonly present.
Step-by-step explanation:
Right-sided (ascending) colon cancer and left-sided (recto-sigmoid) colon cancer differ in their physical location within the colon and the symptoms they commonly present.
Physical Differences: Right-sided colon cancer occurs in the ascending colon on the right side of the abdomen, while left-sided colon cancer occurs in the recto-sigmoid region on the left side of the abdomen. This means that right-sided colon cancer is located higher in the colon, while left-sided colon cancer is located lower in the colon.
Symptomatic Differences: Right-sided colon cancer often causes symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits. In contrast, left-sided colon cancer commonly presents with symptoms such as rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and narrowing of the stool.