Colon Cancer Staging

Colon cancer, in medical nomenclature is referred to as colorectal cancer. The colon cancer has its origination points in the large intestine and terminates in the colon. Colon, or colorectal cancer, is a cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). Colon cancer staging describes the extent to which the cancer has navigated. The staging gives the oncologist a clear perspective of the sight so as to determine the line of treatment and consequential prognosis. The result of the staging is dependent on how far the cancer has reached, whether or not it has spread farther in the intestine and whether or not the cancer has reached the neighboring organs of the body. CT scans and MRI's, X-rays and PET scans, physical examinations and biopsies are conducted in order to understand the staging of colon cancer.

Methods of Staging

There are two reliable methods of staging: 1) Clinical; and 2) Pathological method.

Clinical Method of Staging: This is the preliminary method of staging in which physical examinations serve to be a tool to measure the extent of damage that has been caused and how far the cancer has reached.

Pathological staging: This method is more accurate as the surgeon gets an impression of the extent and the spread of the disease. There can be possibilities that cancer or any discrepancies that did not show in the clinical biopsies are now revealed by the doctor through surgery, thereby increasing the pathological staging and the diagnostic standards.

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

• Abdominal Pain
• Tenderness in the affected area of the lower abdomen
• Weight Loss
• Blood in Stool
• Narrow, Slim stools
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Intestinal Obstruction
• Loss of Appetite

Stages of Colon Cancer

Stage 0
Stage 0 is the earliest stage of colon cancer where detection time is concerned. The cancer at this stage only involves the lining of the colon being affected. The physical examination reveals the presence of polyps. Polyps are tiny pustule-like structures and are tissues that bulge or protrude though the organ. During a procedure called colonoscopy, the tissues are removed, thus the chance of cancer progressing to the next stage is discarded. Colonoscopy is a test in which the practitioner inserts a device, namely a video camera, that navigates inside the anus, progressing into the colon. This device is operated by the doctor. The device is meant to capture images of the affected colon area and shows the discrepancy in the colon on the screen that is being viewed by the doctor. The extent of damage is well-judged by a colonoscopy also known as polypectomy.

Stage I
Stage I of cancer involves more than the inner walls covered by polyps. The polyps have now transformed into a tumor and extend up to the wall of the rectum. The section of colon that is affected by the tumor can be surgically removed. The healthy section of the colon can be joined back together. This is a surgery that is referred to as resection. This surgery increases and adheres to the 5 percent survival rate

Stage II
This stage is characterized by cancer that has spread beyond the colon, however the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes. When cancer spreads form one part of the body to another, it is called metastasis. The resection surgery applies to this stage as well, with the five-years survival rate dropping to 60 percent.

Stage III
The cancer has spread outside the colon and has extended to the lymph nodes in the area around the colon. The cancer in this stage is still controlled as the cancer has not spread to other organs of the body. A Surgical resection, chemotherapy and medical supplements are necessary at this stage. The five year survival rate drops to 35 to 60 percent.

Stage IV
In this stage, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs or the liver. Radiation, chemotherapy and surgical resection become mandatory in this stage of cancer. There are only 3 percent chances of reaching the five year survival rate.

Recurrent Cancer
After cancer is treated there are chances that the cancer may come back. If after five years have lapsed and the cancer does not come back, then the person is said to be completely cured.

Treatment for Colon Cancer

• Radiation Therapy
• Colectomy Surgery (to remove the section that is cancerous)
• Chemotherapy

Whatever be the mode of detecting the disease, at the end of the day, it is the individual's well-being that matters. Post treatment, one may be asked to continue with prognostic procedures to avert any possibility of recurrence.