Stages of Colon Cancer
The colon cancer is divided in to five stages from zero to four (stage 0, stage1, stage 2, stage 3 and stage 4) according to the development or progress of the disease.
Stage 0
- This is initiating stage of the colon cancer called as carcinoma in situ
- The tissue of colon shows qualities of cancerous cell
- Cells show uncontrolled growth by dividing without any interruption
- At this stage colon cancer does not spread to the other part body
- The body does not shows any external symptoms in this stage
- This stage cancer can be detected by using colonoscopy and presence of tumor marker in the blood or CT scan can be used for diagnosis
- If cancer is detected at this stage then it can be cured completely by using colonoscopy
Stage I
- Histologically colon is divided in to three layers inner, middle and basal layer
- In stage 0, cancer is limited to the inner layer and later on it spreads to the middle layer of the colon
- This stage is also detected by blood test as well as colonoscopy and CT scan
- At this stage cancer is limited to the colon tissue and does not shows spreading to the other part
- At this stage, if cancer is detected then it can be treated by surgery
- Surgically tumor can be removed along with surrounded area
- By surgical treatment we can increase five years of the survival rate of the patient
Stage II
- This stage is divided in to IIA and IIB
- At IIA stage cancer spreads to muscular wall of the colon. no spreading is seen in the lymph node
- Colon at this stage if identified, can be treated by surgery
- Surgically, the doctor will remove the tumor along with the near by area
- Sometimes other treatments are also given to the patient
- At this stage we can also increase five year of survival rate
- At the late 2B stage, cancer starts spreading to nearby organs
Stage 3
- This stage is divided in to IIIA, IIIB and IIIC
- Colon cancer of this stage shows metastasis
- Cancer starts spreading to other organs close to the colon
- In stage IIIA, the tissue of colon cancer spreads to the nearer lymph nodes
- In IIIB stage, the cancer spreads to rectum and surrounding peritoneum layer
- In IIIC stage cancer spreads to the other organs through peritoneum layer
- At this stage colon cancer is also called as Dukes C colon cancer
- This stage can be treated by chemotherapy or surgery or radiation therapy
Stage IV
- In this stage, cancer spreads to the other organs through lymph nodes
- Cancer spreads to the organs like lungs, liver, stomach and ovaries
- Surgically, doctors remove the tumors and again connect the functional part of the organs
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be used to treat the patient
- Treatment given to the patient depends on the age and physical health
- Cancer at this stage is also called as Dukes D colorectal cancer
