Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer or CRC, is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States. It can often be treated successfully if it is caught early. However, many people are not aware of the symptoms of colorectal cancer or the different stages of the disease. This blog post will discuss the various stages of colon cancer and what you need to know about them.
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the colon, a large, coiled tube in the digestive system. Collateral cancer accounts for about 9% of all new cancers in the United States. It is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer in women.
There are four stages of colon cancer:
Stage 1: The cancer is located only in the inner wall of the colon.
Stage 2: Cancer has spread to the outer wall of the colon or nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 3: Cancer has spread to other body parts, such as the liver or lungs.
Stage 4: The cancer is advanced and has spread throughout the body.
Colon cancer often does not cause any symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
Colorectal cancer is often advanced by the time it is diagnosed. Most people do not have any symptoms until the tumor progresses immensely. However, there are treatments available for CRC that can be effective if caught early.
Colon cancer treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Surgery is the most common treatment for colon cancer. This involves removing the cancerous tumor and some healthy tissue around it.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. It is often used in combination with surgery.
Chemotherapy is a type of medication that is used to kill cancer cells. It can be administered orally or through an injection. Colon cancer is often treated with a combination of these therapies.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. You can do many things to reduce your risk of developing CRC.
Some ways to reduce your risk of colon cancer include:
Colon cancer is a disease that can be debilitating and life-threatening. Colon cancer symptoms may vary, but the stages of colon cancer will remain relatively unchanged throughout each step until it has been fully treated or left untreated.