Colon cancer occurs when cancerous cells grow in the large intestine, and into the rectum. Sometimes these cells spread into the lymph nodes and other organs, making it difficult to treat. As with most cancers, it is detected in stages, which provide doctors with an idea of the size of the tumor or polyps associated with the disease, whether or not it has spread or stayed locally in the colon, as well as other health factors relating to a possible treatment and prognosis.

Unlike other forms of cancer, colon cancer stages can sometimes be determined through symptoms, in combination with screening tests. Feeling fatigued, nauseous, losing weight unexplainably, bloating, gassiness, cramping in the abdomen, and blood in the stool can all point to a diagnosis of colon cancer.

There are 4 main stages to colon cancer, with a few sub categories intermingled in the diagnosis. These stages differ in many ways, and will determine the treatment options available to you.

Stage 0-1

If cancer cells are just becoming apparent inside the inner lining of the colon, doctors will likely diagnose you with a pre-cancerous colon, or stage 0. This can quite easily move to stage 1 of the disease, if the cancer spreads into the connective tissue in the submucosa of the colon. This is the easiest of the stages to treat and may require surgery to remove the cancerous tissue, as well as radiation therapy to shrink cells and reduce the cancer.

Stage 2

Stage 2 has 3 sub-stages, which are I, II, and III. In the first of these colon cancer sub-stages, patients will note that the cancer has grown into the tissue of the colon. Sub-stage II indicates that it has continued into the visceral peritoneum, and sub-stage III means that the tumor has begun to spread out of the colon. This is still a treatable stage of the disease, although it may require more than just radiation therapy and surgery. Chemotherapy can be introduced to kill cancer cells.

Stage 3

Similar to stage 2, stage 3 has sub-stages I, II, and III. In the first sub-stage, the tumor has grown into the lymph nodes surrounding the colon. II sees the soft tissue surrounding the rectum affected, as well as further lymph nodes. III is when the cancer has spread out into other organs of the body, and has affected up to 8 lymph nodes. Treatment for the last two colon cancer stages is more difficult than stage 1 and 2, but some success may still be seen.

Stage 4

The final stage of the disease is the most intensive. The cancer will have now spread into other parts of the body, affecting organs and lymph nodes, as well as the colon and rectum. This may require a combination of treatment methods, and has a high risk of recurrent cancer cells, especially because it is harder to find all of the cancer cells and eradicate them. Surgical procedures are less successful in this stage, as it is difficult to pin down a specific area of the body where the cancer can be found.