Colon Cancer Prognosis - Is There Any?

Cancer is a very sad and painful subject to talk about especially if you or someone you know has been affected by it. There are so many types of cancer today that it's sometimes quite difficult to say for sure which one is the most harmful. All forms of cancer, regardless of whether it is the cancer of the lung, liver, cervical, or any other organs in our bodies, share a similar trait - that is, they are all deadly diseases and the earlier they are detected and treated, the greater will be chances for recoveries and survival. In this respect, colon cancer is not an exception. As a matter of fact, colon cancer prognosis is very much dependent on the stages the cancer is in when detected and treated.

Colon cancer is now the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Colon cancer, or colorectal cancer as its sometimes called, is the result of cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. It is sometimes the result of adenomatous polyps in the colon. The adenomatous polyps are mushroom-like growths that are often benign but can turn malignant resulting in cancer of the colon. This type of cancer is often diagnosed through a colonoscopy.

As stated above, the colon cancer prognosis is very much dependent on the stage that it is in. In stage A (the cancer has only penetrated the most superficial layer of the bowel or mucosa), the survival rate is about 90% over a 5 year period. In stage B, the cancer has penetrated the muscular layer of the bowel walls. In this stage, the survival rate is between 55% to 85% over a 5 years period. In stage C, the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and has a survival rate of between 20% to 55%. In stage D, the cancer has spread to other areas in the body, typically to the lungs and liver. This stage has the worst prognosis with only about a 5% survival rate over 5 years.

Notwithstanding all these numbers, the actual chances of recovery it still very much dependent on the exact stage the cancer is in. Sometimes, each stage could have multiple sub-stages within with corresponding multiple sub-ranges of survival rates. For example, even in stage B, you actual survival rate could be 80% instead of 55% as normally perceived. This differences come about because not all cancer cells develop in exactly the same way and the same rates. Hence, no matter what the prognosis level is, there are always several stages of treatment for one to start on.

Sometimes, it is almost better to not know the numbers given to colon cancer prognosis but to battle the cancer as you see fit. If you are a strong person with reasonable good health and are willing to go the long haul to fight the cancer, the fight will be well worth it. Always remember, even at stage D, you still have a chance for survival.

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