Stage 2 Colon Cancer

The lower part of the digestive system is known as the colon, or the large intestine. Due to some reasons, malignant cells originate in the tissues of the colon, and this condition is what is known as colon cancer. In some cases, the case intensifies when the cancer grows in the rectum; condition is known as rectal cancer. These two conditions together are known as colorectal cancers.

Symptoms that Show Up in Stage 2 Colon Cancer

Most types of cancers have the reputation of being asymptomatic in their early stages. Meaning, they do not show any signs or symptoms, which is why, regular screening tests are a must. Stage 2 may be regarded as a mid stage for a colon cancer. In a few cases, this stage might have some probability of showing some kind of symptoms, as compared to stage 0 or 1, which can be regarded as completely asymptomatic. However, to tell you about the general colon cancer symptoms in women or men that occur in the later stages, it begins with abnormal changes in the bowel habit of the affected person. This may be manifested in the form of diarrhea, constipation, and certain changes in the consistency of the feces (stools may be narrower than usual). Presence of bright red or dark blood in urine is one symptom, and so is a feeling of incomplete evacuation. There may be a constant discomfort in the abdominal region, unexplained weight loss, constant tiredness, vomiting, gas pains, and bloating.

What Causes Colon Cancer?

In the body, healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly fashion, and with a normal pace. This is what that helps the body function in different ways. However, sometimes, these cells may start getting divided without any purpose. And this abnormal behavior takes place in a rapid fashion. So this is what that happens even in case of colon cancer. The abnormal growth of the cells give rise to the formation of precancerous cells, that latch on to the lining of the intestine. With time, and without any treatment, some of these cells may become cancerous. Now what triggers such a growth, or what causes colon cancer, has not being determined yet.

Treatment

The earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the more are the chances of treating it successfully. According to experts, stage 0 is the most treatable form of colon cancer. Here, the cancer is still at the affected site and has not come out of the mucosa (the colon's inner layer).

Speaking of stage 1 colon cancer, here the condition has left the mucosa, but is yet to reach the colon wall. When this progresses to the stage 2, it means that it has managed to grow into, or through the colon wall.

Stage 3 is the beginning of the later stage. Here, the nearby lymph nodes are taken over by the cancer, and finally in stage 4 the disease starts spreading to other organs of the body; common examples are liver and lungs.

In some cases, the cancer may strike back even after the treatment. This stage is known as recurrence.

A colectomy (surgical removal of the colon or part of the colon) is generally the treatment choice opted for stage 2 colon cancer. So, along with removing the cancer-affected part of the colon, some neighboring tissues may also be removed. Prognosis of the cancer during this stage is quite bright, as it is still not in the advanced stage, as you can see from the description above.

Speaking of the survival rate of people who are in the second stage of colon cancer, for a five year period, the number is 60%. In case of the stage 1, the measure is 90%.

As mentioned, the condition does not show any symptoms in its early stages. It silently moves forward and takes over the body part by part. Although the survival rate of a stage 2 colon cancer is not as high as that of the stage 1, it is still better than the later stages. This is why it is important to go for regular screening tests and diagnose the disease as soon as possible.