8 Colon Cancer Early Warning Signs and Stages

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells lining the large intestine (colon); some researchers include the rectum and prefer the term colorectal cancer. There are over 101,000 new cases of colon cancer every year in the U.S. Colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. for both men and women. Many colon cancers can be prevented by following screening guideline recommendations. Most colon cancers start as benign growths, called polyps, inside the large intestine. Identification and removal of these polyps can prevent the development of colon cancer. Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas, which means that they arise from the glandular cells that produce mucus inside the colon.

What are the stages of colon cancer?

The stages of colon cancer refer to the extent of spread of the cancer at the time that it is identified. There are 4 main stages of colon cancer, referred to as stages 1-4.

• Stage 1 colon cancer has spread from the lining of the large intestine into the muscular wall of the large intestine.
• Stage 2 colon cancer has spread through the wall of the intestine to the outermost layer and may grow into adjacent organs.
• Stage 3 colon cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the area or to other organs in the area.
• Stage 4 colon cancer is metastatic colon cancer. It has spread away from the colon to other parts of the body such as the liver, bones, or lungs.
• The term Stage 0 is sometimes used for a very early cancer that only affects the lining of the intestine. This has been also referred to as carcinoma in situ.