Colon Cancer Staging

After colon cancer is detected and diagnosed, tests are done to find out the extent to which it has grown or spread. The stage of the cancer is an important factor is choosing the appropriate treatment. The tests include:

• Computerized Tomography Scan
  A CT (or CAT) scan uses detailed X-rays from different angles - often made after the patient had drunk a dye or had it injected to make the tissues being studied show up more clearly.

• Lymph Node Biopsy
  All or part of a lymph node is removed for microscopic examination by a pathologist.

• Complete Blood Count
  Blood is checked for the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, the amount of hemoglobin in the red cells and the proportion of red cells in the blood.

• Carcinoembryonic Antigen Assay
  Blood levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) are tested. Higher than normal levels of CEA in the blood can indicate colon cancer.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  In magnetic resonance imaging (or MRI) gadolinium is injected into the patient's bloodstream and the area in which cancer is suspected is scanned using magnetism and radio waves. The scans are digitally manipulated to produce an extremely detailed images without radiation. Because of the extremely powerful magnetism of MRI scanners they cannot be used on patients with any metal implants or pacemakers.

• Chest X-ray
  X-rays are used to determine if colon cancer has spread into the torso.

• Surgery
  The tumor may be removed to see how far it has spread.

Stages of Colon Cancer

• Stage 0
  Stage 0 is cancer which has not spread past the inner lining of the colon. It is also called carcinoma in situ.

• Stage I
  Stage I is colon cancer which has spread to the middle layers of the colon walls. This is sometimes called Dukes' A colon cancer.

• Stage IIA
  Stage IIA is colon cancer which has spread to the outer layer of the colon wall or past the colon wall to nearby tissues outside the colon.

• Stage IIB
  Stage IIB is colon cancer which has spread past the colon wall into nearby organs and/or has spread through the abdominal lining.

• Stage IIIA
  Stage IIIA is colon cancer which has spread to the middle layer of the colon wall and has spread to from one to three lymph nodes.

• Stage IIIB
  Stage IIIB is colon cancer which has spread to from one to three lymph nodes and has also spread:
  • Past the middle layer of the colon wall to the outer layer
  • To nearby tissue
  • Into nearby organs or through the abdominal lining

• Stage IIIC
  Stage IIIC is colon cancer which has spread to four or more lymph nodes and has also spread:
  • Past the middle layer of the colon wall to the outer layer
  • To nearby tissue
  • Into nearby organs or through the abdominal lining

• Stage IV
  Stage IV is colon cancer which has spread to other parts of the body. Stage IV is sometimes called Dukes' D colon cancer.

• Recurrent Colon Cancer
  Recurrent colon cancer is cancer which has come back after being treated and apparently eliminated. The cancer may reappear in the colon or in other parts of the body.