Stages of colon cancer
The stage of a cancer determine how far it has spread. Defining the stage helps to decide the most appropriate treatment.
A commonly used system gives the stages a number from 0 to 4. The stages of colon cancer are:
- Stage 0: This is the earliest stage. When the cancer is still within the mucosa or inner layer of the colon or rectum. It is also called carcinomain situ.
- Stage 1: The cancer has grown through the inner layer of the colon or rectum but has not yet spread beyond the wall of the rectum or colon.
- Stage 2: The cancer has grown through or into the wall of the colon or rectum, but it has not yet reached the nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage 3: The cancer has invaded the nearby lymph nodes but it has not yet affected other parts of the body.
- Stage 4: The cancer has spread to other parts of the body including other organs such as the liver, the membrane lining the abdominal cavity, the lung or the ovaries.
- Recurrent: The cancer has returned after treatment. It may come back and affect the rectum, colon or another part of the body.
More Informations: Cancer Center
