Colorectal Cancer

Staging

Colon cancer and rectal cancer are staged much the same way. But the treatment options may vary because the tumor is much lower down in the colon.

•  Stage 0: The cancer is found only in the innermost lining of the colon or rectum. Carcinoma in situ is another name for Stage 0 colorectal cancer.
•   Stage I: The cancer has grown into the inner wall of the colon or rectum. The tumor has not reached the outer wall of the colon or extended outside the colon. The tumor has broken through the inner lining of the rectum but has not made it past the muscular wall. Dukes A is another name for Stage I colorectal cancer.
•  Stage II: The tumor extends more deeply into or through the wall of the colon or rectum. It may have invaded nearby tissue, but cancer cells have not spread to the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that are found throughout the body that are part of the body's immune system. The cancer may have invaded other organs, like the bladder, uterus or prostate gland. Dukes B is another name for Stage II colorectal cancer.
•  Stage III: The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, but not to other parts of the body. Dukes C is another name for Stage III colorectal cancer.
•  Stage IV: The cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs. Dukes D is another name for Stage IV colorectal cancer.

Recurrent cancer: This is cancer that has been treated and has returned after a period of time when the cancer could not be detected. The disease may return in the colon or rectum, or in another part of the body.