Various Stages of Colon Cancer
Once it has been determined that you have colon cancer and all of the appropriate testing has been done to determine how far the cancer has spread, the doctor will advise you as to what stage your cancer has spread to ranging from 0-IV. That number will affect how your doctor decides to treat your cancer.
A stage 0 means your cancer is only in the inner lining and during this stage of colon cancer it is likely that the doctor will be able to stop the cancer from spreading by performing a minor surgery to remove the tumor. With today’s technology, this procedure can be done without even making any cuts in the skin. If the tumor is too large to remove in this fashion, there is another procedure the doctor will use that is just a bit more complex.
A stage I cancer is normally treated with the doctor conducting a surgery called a resection which removes the cancer from the colon and then rejoins the remaining ends of the colon together.
If the cancer had spread to a stage II then the treatment will be more thorough as it will with each stage that it advances to. In stage II the same procedure will be used as in stage I but it will be followed up with chemotherapy and or radiation therapy. There are new trials being conducted through research right now that may further assist in treating colon cancer; however they are not available right now.
For stage III colon cancer the treatment is virtually the same as used for stage II.
Stage IV is obviously the most advanced stage of colon cancer and at this time doctors would likely incorporate stage III treatments with a combination of more advanced treatment as well. It is likely that parts of any other organs that are affected will need to be surgically removed.
Find out more in details about the various stages of colon cancer.
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