The stages of colon cancer are determined by how far they have spread through the walls of the colon and rectum, as well as how far they’ve spread to other parts of the body. Doctors decide which treatments to try on patients, depending upon the stage of development. For instance, early colon cancer symptoms can often be treated with a colonoscope, whereas later treatments may require more serious surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

With colon cancer, the initial stage, which is Stage 0, is found in the epithelial tissue of the innermost lining of the colon. Here, doctors find cells that are abnormal but have not yet mobilized into full-blown cancer. To treat this stage, doctors will perform a polypectomy, which is a local excision to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. This treatment is usually considered curative and often no further problems develop if caught early during colon cancer screening tests. In Stage I, the cancer has spread beyond the innermost layer to the second and third layers, as well as the inside wall of the colon. According to the National Cancer Institute’s most recent data (1991 to 2000), there is a 93% survival rate for colon cancer patients with Stage I cancer.

Stage II of colon cancer involves tumors that have just spread from the outer layers to the muscular colon wall, but have not yet reached the lymph node cells (which fight infection). This stage is further subdivided into II-A, which is when the cancer that has spread from middle tissue to the tissues around the rectum, and II-B, which indicates the cancer has spread beyond the colon wall into nearby organs, like the bowels, uterus, prostate or bladder. The survival rate for II-A is 85% and II-B is 72%, the National Cancer Institute reports. By stage III, when the cancer has spread into one or more lymph nodes, the survival rate is anywhere from 44% to 83%.

The last stage of colon cancer is Stage IV, which is the most advanced stage after the metastatic colon cancer has spread into multiple lymph nodes and organ systems, often affecting the liver and the lungs. Once the cancer has gotten to this point, the survival rate is just 8%! As a result, doctors recommend getting a fecal occult blood test done every year after 50. Additionally, a colonoscopy should be done every 10 years. To prevent colon cancer, it’s important to exercise, abstain from smoking or alcohol, and eat a diet limited in saturated fats/processed or red meat, but one that is high in fruits, fiber and vegetables.

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