Stages of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer, a malignant tumor arising from the inner lining of the large intestine, is a significant global health concern. Early detection and understanding its stages are crucial for effective treatment and improved outcomes.

Staging is a standardized system that describes the extent of the cancer’s spread, guiding medical professionals in developing the most appropriate treatment plan.

What are Cancer Staging?

Cancer staging, often determined using the TNM system (Tumor, Node, Metastasis), provides a detailed picture of the disease.

• T (Tumor) describes the size and extent of the primary tumor.
• N (Node) indicates whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
• M (Metastasis) signifies if the cancer has spread to distant organs (e.g., liver, lungs).
• On these factors, colon cancer is usually divided into five major stages, ranging from 0 and IV.

What are the 4 Stages of Colon Cancer

• Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ): In this earliest stage, abnormal cells are found only in the innermost layer of the colon or rectum lining. It has not grown beyond this layer and is highly curable, often through polypectomy (removal of the polyp).

• Stage I: The cancer has grown through the inner layer of the colon wall and into the next layer (submucosa) or the muscle layer, but it has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant sites. Surgical removal of the affected part of the colon is typically the primary treatment

• Stage II: Stage II colon cancer indicates the tumor has grown through the wall of the colon, potentially into nearby tissues, but has not yet spread to lymph nodes. This stage is further subdivided (IIA, IIB, IIC) based on the depth of penetration. Treatment usually involves surgery, and sometimes chemotherapy may be considered based on specific risk factors.

• Stage III: At this stage, the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, but not to distant organs. Stage III is also divided into subgroups (IIIA, IIIB, IIIC) depending on the number of affected lymph nodes and the depth of tumor invasion. Treatment typically involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy may also be used in certain cases of rectal cancer.

• Stage IV: This is the most advanced stage, meaning the cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the liver, lungs, or peritoneum. Stage IV is also subdivided (IVA, IVB, IVC) based on the number and location of metastatic sites. While more challenging to cure, treatment aims to manage the disease, improve quality of life, and prolong survival. Some of the possible treatment options are surgery to ablate the primary tumor and/or metastatic sites, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Conclusion

Knowledge of colon cancer phases can guide and give strength to the patients and their families to plan their treatment process. To screen the disease and promptly detect its presence, colonoscopy is crucial, especially when it is still in stages 0 and I when a complete cure has the highest possibility of occurrence.

After getting the diagnosis, a team of multidisciplinary healthcare practitioners will collaborate and establish the exact stage of malignancy and plan a personal treatment, which will be the most promising in terms of prognosis.

Dr. Kailash Mishra
Director & Gastroenterologist Consultant
Prime Gastro Liver Clinic