Stage 1 Colon Cancer

As the name suggests, colon cancer is referred to the condition where the lower part of the digestive system (or the second part of the digestive tract) protracts cancer. This lower part is known as the colon, or the large intestine. This is often accompanied by a cancer that grows in the rectum; known as rectal cancer. These two ailments have been given a common name and that is colorectal cancers.

Symptoms and Causes

Generally, the symptoms begin with some abnormal changes in the bowel system of the patient. Conditions such as diarrhea, and constipation may occur and persist for more than a couple of weeks. This might also be accompanied by a change in the consistency of the stool. Now as the cancer worsens, blood may occur in the feces, and the patient would constantly complain about abdominal cramps, gas and pain. There might be unintended or unexpected weight loss, and the patient might have a feeling of incomplete evacuation even after a bowel movement. Weakness, and fatigue are also common. These symptoms, however, do not occur during the initial stage of the cancer, but show up only when the condition has reached an advanced stage. In other words, stage 1 colon cancer could be regarded as asymptomatic.

Doctors are not sure about what exactly causes colon cancer. What they are aware of, is the fact that, when the cancer occurs, it means that the healthy colon cells have altered. Under normal circumstances, normal cells divide in an orderly fashion. This is the normal function of life. However, due to some reasons, these cells start getting divided in a rapid fashion. Now what this may do is, it may cause the growth of benign cells (known as adenomatous polyps) on the lining of the colon. However, with time, the same cells may become cancerous.

As mentioned, there are hardly any symptoms of stage 1 colon cancer. And this is the reason, doctors recommend people to go for regular screening tests. In this way, if the polyps are detected, then the condition may be avoided from progressing into cancer.

Treatment

There are in total 5 stages of this condition. When in stage 0, the cancer is still in the inner layer (mucosa) of the colon or rectum. When stage 1 sets in, the cancer has grown beyond the inner layer of the colon, but has not managed to grow beyond the colon wall.

When the cancer has reached the colon wall or beyond it, it is said to be in the stage 2. Till now, it is away from the reach of the lymph nodes. In stage 3, these very nodes are affected.

And when stage 4 (the last stage) sets in, the cancer has already spread to other organs such as the liver or lungs. Here, the cancer is known to have metastasized.

In some cases, the cancer strikes back even after the treatment. It might occur in the same place, or other parts of the body. This stage may be regarded as recurrent.

So the good news is, stage 1 colon cancer is the most treatable form of the condition, after stage 0. The best treatment is usually a colonoscopy. Here, the surgeons get rid of the section of the colon that has been affected by the cancer growth. After the removal, the remaining healthy sections are stitched together to form a healthy tissue. During the examination, if it is diagnosed that the cancer has not affected the base of the growth of the polyp, then chances are that, the cancer has faced complete elimination.

As mentioned already, the prognosis for stage 1 colon cancer is bright for most patients. The survival rate is about 90% of people who are alive 5 years after diagnosis. As mentioned already, it is one of the most treatable colon cancer stages, when it gets diagnosed at the right time. At this stage, the cancer is most likely to get cure completely thus, chances of recurrences are rare.