Colon Cancer And Its StagesColorectal cancer is a common cancerous form and is ranked to be the second leading reason for cancer-related deaths in America. It is also known as large bowel cancer or colon cancer. This form of cancer generally involves cancerous growths in appendix, rectum and colon. Carcinoid tumors, melanoma and lymphoma are a few types of colon cancer. Sarcoma is another rare form of this cancer. Adenomatous polyps in colon can at times lead to colon cancer. Nonetheless, smoking, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and history for the breast cancer or cancer anywhere else in the body are a few factors that increase the risk for colon cancer. Your diet also plays a crucial role in the development of this cancer. Low-fiber and high fat diet or red meat is also associated with this type of cancer. There are normally five stages of colon cancer (0-4). Colon cancer was earlier rated according to the Duke's system. The foremost stage of colon cancer is 'stage 0.' This stage is also known as carcinoma in situ. While carcinoma is the cancer that initiates in the epithelial tissue, 'in situ' refers to the original position. Hence, this is the stage when colon cancer is found to be at the same position where it initiated. So, it is still limited to the deepest lining of colon. The next is the stage 1 of colon cancer. Here the cancer has moved beyond the deepest colon layer and has stretched inside the colon's mid-layers. This stage is also called Duke's A colon cancer. Also, stage 2 is said to be equivalent to Duke's B colon cancer. When the cancer moves beyond the colon's mid-layers, it is said to be in this stage. At times, the cancer is called to be in this stage even when it has reached close to the surrounding organs. Formerly known as Duke's C colon cancer, the stage 3 is declared when the cancer is found to affect a minimum of 3 lymph nodes. The last stage of colon cancer is stage 4 and is also referred as Duke's D colon cancer. Generally, in this stage, the cancer has already spread to the lymph nodes located in the proximity along with other body parts. Lungs and liver are some of the common areas that are affected. These are the four stages of colon cancer. However, an early diagnosis may help the patient considerably. It is reported that the survival rate of patients is usually increased by mild exercising. Generally, this kind of cancer is diagnosed through colonoscopy. So, in case you suspect yourself or any of your loved one for colon cancer symptoms, it is highly recommended that you approach a physician and get the required tests done at the earliest for diagnosis. |