| The earlier you can detect cancer, the better the | | | | than those who have four or more infected |
| prognosis will be. As with any other form of | | | | nodes. |
| cancer, the early stages are the easiest to treat | | | | Stage IV |
| and possibly cure. Later stages of the developing | | | | The chance of surviving Stage IV colon cancer |
| disease can spread and cause many more | | | | for five or more years is less than 5%. In this |
| problems, making it harder for the doctors to | | | | stage, the cancer has usually spread to other |
| treat. The importance of early detection cannot | | | | areas of the body, such as the lungs. Not all |
| be stressed enough by medical professionals. | | | | Stage IV colon cancer patients are in the same |
| Cancer cells are cells that have transformed and | | | | condition; therefore, the prognosis can be |
| are growing abnormally. They can cause lumps, | | | | different. Studies have shown that patients with |
| masses, and tumors in the body. They can grow | | | | less than three masses on the liver can have a |
| extremely large and spread to other areas of the | | | | 20% to30% chance of surviving five years. |
| body. If you catch them in the "small" stages, it is | | | | You can now see why early detection of colon |
| more likely that the cancer can be surgically | | | | cancer is so important. It really does play a big |
| removed or treated with great results. | | | | role in the prognosis. |
| Stage I | | | | Treatment - The most common treatment for |
| In Stage I of this cancer, the prognosis is very | | | | the early stages of colon cancer is the removal |
| good. A person has a greater than 90% chance | | | | of the section of the colon that contains the |
| of a five-year survival rate. In this stage, cancer | | | | abnormal cells. The colon is then rejoined and |
| has usually only penetrated the superficial part of | | | | sewn back together. There are new studies being |
| the bowel wall. | | | | done on the effectiveness of different |
| Stage II | | | | treatments for late stages of colon cancer. Your |
| The chance of surviving Stage II of this cancer | | | | physician will be able to effectively tell you what |
| for five or more years, depending on the TNM | | | | you can expect in treatment options, because |
| Classification of Malignant Tumors, is from 55% to | | | | every cancer patient and every case of the |
| 85%. In this stage, the cancer has usually | | | | disease is different. |
| penetrated the muscular layer of the bowel wall. | | | | Scheduling a regular exam is in your best interest |
| Stage III | | | | and will help you to detect colon cancer in the |
| The chance of surviving Stage III of this cancer | | | | earlier stages. Signs and symptoms can take |
| for five or more years is between 20% and | | | | weeks or months to become obvious, so if you |
| 55%. In this stage, the disease has usually worked | | | | are in the risk categories for developing colon |
| through the bowel wall and has infected nearby | | | | cancer, regular exams are very important. |
| lymph nodes and organs. Patients who have three | | | | Contact your physician immediately if you suspect |
| or fewer infected nodes have a better prognosis | | | | that anything may be wrong. |