The human colon, also referred to as the large intestine, is a muscular, tube-shaped organ that measures about four feet in length. The colon digests food and absorbs the nutrients from the food that it digests. It concentrates the fecal matter by absorbing all the fluids, and it stores and controls the evacuation of fecal matter. Colon cancer occurs when there is a trace of a tumor or growth in the colon.

Cancer transforms the normal cells, and these cells grow and multiply at an abnormal rate. The first thing that your doctor will want to determine if you are diagnosed with colon cancer is the stage of cancer. Identifying the stage of cancer will tell your doctor the extent of your cancer and how far it has spread. In order to determine the best treatment option, it is essential to stage colon cancer.

The detection of colon cancer can be done using various tests. Doctors use a procedure called colonoscopy in order to detect colon cancer. This is a screening test where the doctor takes a look at the inside of your colon by inserting a long, narrow tube with a camera attached to its end. In case cancer is detected in your colon, then additional tests need to be performed to determine the stage that your colon cancer is at. Diagnostic tests like CT scans, X-rays or MRI scans of the abdomen, liver, and chest may also be performed.

The treatment prescribed and recommended for colon cancer largely depends on the stage of the disease. Let’s take a look at the best treatment option available for each stage of colon cancer:

Stage 0: For Stage 0 of colon cancer, surgery is generally the only treatment needed.

Stage 1: The recommended course of treatment for the first stage of colon cancer is surgery; however, the technique used may vary based on the size and location of the tumor.

Stage 2: In order to remove the cancerous section of the colon and nearby lymph nodes, surgery is recommended. In certain circumstances, chemotherapy may also be recommended. This is the case if the cancer is considered high-grade or if there are any other high-risk features.

Stage 3: In stage 3, the treatment includes surgery in order to remove the tumor and lymph nodes, which is then followed up with chemotherapy. In some cases, radiation therapy might be recommended.

Stage 4: Stage 4 colon cancer is considered as the worst stage of the disease. Treatment options for this stage include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Targeted therapy is also prescribed in some cases.

People diagnosed with stage 1 and stage 2 colon cancer normally have the highest survival rates. But one should remember that there are a number of factors that determine the survival rate for colon cancer.