Overall Prognosis
According to the Med TV website, colon cancer prognosis is usually good if the patient responds well to treatments. Other factors involved in a positive prognosis include age, lifestyle changes and the quality of the treatment plan. The average five-year survival rate after the diagnosis of colon cancer is 64 percent.
Stage 1
Stage 1 colon cancer, also known as Duke's colon cancer, is when cancer cells have been discovered along the inner wall of the colon. Treatment at this stage usually involves surgical removal of the infected section. Known as surgical resection, doctors can remove a section of the colon and sew the remaining halves together.
Stage 2
Stage 2 colon cancer refers to when cancer cells are invading the outermost walls of the colon. Stage 2 is also divided into two parts. For stage 2A, the outgrowth is still limited to the colon. Stage 2B is when the colon cancer cells have also invaded the surrounding tissue in other organs. With surgery or chemotherapy treatments, 60 to 75 percent of people diagnosed with Stage 2 see no recurrence.
Stage 3
Stage 3A colon cancer occurs when the cells have spread to as many as three lymph nodes around the colon area, negatively affecting the immune system. Stage 3B means that cells have also spread to the rectum and nearby organs. For stage 3C, four or more lymph nodes are also affected by the colon cancer cells. Treatment options include resection with chemotherapy.
Stage 4
At this stage, colon cancer cells have now invaded other body parts, including the lungs and liver. The other lymph nodes have also been infected. There is also a chance that the spreading cells could metastasize, causing additional symptoms and cancer formations. The five-year survival rate for Stage 4 diagnosis is 8 percent.
Recurrence
With colon cancer, there is always a chance of recurrence. This happens because some initial colon cancer cells are too small to remove through surgery or other forms of treatment. Recurrence of the colon cancer cells is not limited to the colon. The liver is usually involved, especially for patients who are recovering from late stage colon cancer.
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