Stage I – The cancer has not spread beyond the inner wall of the rectum or colon. Stages of Colon Cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) note that the 5-year relative survival rate for people with stage 4 colon cancer that has spread is 14%. Treatment for colon cancer is based largely on the stage (extent) of the cancer, but other factors can also be important.. People with colon cancers that have not spread to distant sites usually have surgery as the main or first treatment. The tests and processes that can aid a colon cancer diagnosis include: After running all of the necessary tests, a doctor will discuss the diagnosis with the individual. If cancer progresses to many distant organs and tissues, surgery may not help extend a person’s lifespan. American Joint Committee on Cancer. How many layers? The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Stage 4 colon cancer is late-stage cancer. Cancer staging can be complex, so ask your doctor to explain it to you in a way you understand. If the cancer does not respond to the first treatment, they may stop that treatment and start another instead. The cancer has grown into the outermost layers of the colon or rectum (T3) or through the visceral peritoneum (T4a) but has not reached nearby organs. a biopsy, in which the doctor takes a sample of tissue and sends it to a laboratory for analysis, molecular testing to help identify specific characteristics of the, a chest X-ray to check whether cancer has spread to the lungs. Surgical removal of cancer is possible when it is in its preliminary stage. Stool changes: In people w… The stage of a colon cancer determines how it will be treated and your odds of survival. Stage 4A means that the cancer has spread to 1 distant site or organ, for example the liver, but it hasn’t spread to the tissue lining your tummy (peritoneum). The cancer has grown through the wall of the colon or rectum but has not grown into other nearby tissues or organs (T4a). Doctors will typically also recommend chemotherapy, either before or after the surgery. It has not grown beyond the inner layer (mucosa) of the colon or rectum. As the ACS note, colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in both males and females in the United States. This is also called metastatic colorectal cancer. The cancer has grown into the outermost layers of the colon or rectum (T3) or through the visceral peritoneum (T4a) but has not reached nearby organs. Read on to learn about the causes, some treatments, and when to see a…, © 2004-2021 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. The stage dictates the extent to which the cancer cells have spread within an individual’s body. This survival statistic also only applies to stage 4 colon cancer when doctors first diagnose it. Stage 4. Stage IV colon cancer has a relative 5-year survival rate of about 14%. A hepatic artery infusion may be a treatment option for people with colon cancer that has spread to the liver. The Colon cancer 4 stages define the type of the patient's treatment. Until we do, we’ll be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention. * The following additional categories are not listed in the table above: The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team. Nausea and vomiting can be symptoms of many health conditions. As a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. The cancer has grown through the wall of the colon or rectum and is attached to or has grown into other nearby tissues or organs (T4b). Stage II – The cancer has spread into the muscle layer of the rectum or colon. The cancer has grown into the outermost layers of the colon or rectum but has not gone through them (T3). The cancer spreads through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream. The American Cancer Society couldn’t do what we do without the support of our partners. There are 4 main stages of colon cancer, referred to as stages 1-4. Metastasis (M): Has the cancer spread to other parts of the body? It might or might not have spread to nearby lymph nodes (Any N). It has spread to 1 distant organ (such as the liver or lung) or distant set of lymph nodes, but not to distant parts of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) (M1a). Although each person’s cancer experience is unique, cancers with similar stages tend to have a similar outlook and are often treated in much the same way. Tumor (T): Has the tumor grown into the wall of the colon or rectum? This includes a thin muscle layer (muscularis mucosa). Treatment may only be partially successful, and cancer may be more likely to return after treatment. It has not spread to distant sites (M0). © 2021 American Cancer Society, Inc. All rights reserved. The inner lining (mucosa), which is the layer in which nearly all colorectal cancers start. The fibrous tissue beneath this muscle layer (submucosa), A thick muscle layer (muscularis propria), The thin, outermost layers of connective tissue (subserosa and serosa) that cover most of the colon but not the rectum. Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare type of skin cancer that tends to develop in older adults and in areas exposed to sunlight. Tax ID Number: 13-1788491. The cancer might or might not have grown through the wall of the colon or rectum (Any T). Learn the symptoms of stage IV colon cancer and which tests your doctor uses to find the right treatment. It has spread to more than 1 distant organ (such as the liver or lung) or distant set of lymph nodes, but not to distant parts of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) (M1b). Colon cancer is divided into four stages based on the size, location and characteristics of the tumors. Colon cancer most often spreads to the liver, but it may also reach the lungs, the lymph nodes, or the lining of the abdominal cavity. For instance, the age and overall health of an individual may affect their responsiveness to treatment. 3A stage. The earliest stage colorectal cancers are called stage 0 (a very early cancer), and then range from stages I (1) through IV (4). American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. Additionally, experts base these statistics on past cases. Stage 4 colon cancer survival rate and life expectancy - Ignoring the signs and symptoms of colon cancer or avoiding treatment can lead to a rapid progression of cancer. Chemotherapy may also be used after surgery (called adjuvant treatment).Most adjuvant treatment is given for about 6 months.   However, a 2017 study found survival rates for those with stage 4 colon cancer that metastasized to the liver and were candidates for removal of the liver metastases at the same time as colon surgery improved to up to 70%  . As colon cancer progresses, it can grow through your colon and extend to nearby structures. This is the earliest stage of colorectal cancer. The severity of colorectal cancer, as most cancers, is defined through stages zero through four. At its earliest stage (stage 0), colon cancer is limited to the inner lining of your colon. Chemotherapy. However, other factors, such as the chosen treatment methods and the person’s overall health, contribute to life expectancy. Learn more about these partnerships and how you too can join us in our mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Israel: Successes, lessons, and caveats, A blood test could diagnose depression and bipolar disorder, Causes and treatment of nausea and vomiting, Merkel cell carcinoma: Causes, symptoms, and treatment. In general, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy. What does it take to outsmart cancer? New York, NY: Springer; 2017. Numbers or letters after T, N, and M provide more details about each of these factors. From basic information about cancer and its causes to in-depth information on specific cancer types – including risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment options – you’ll find it here. It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0). 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