COLON CANCER (Con't)
Overview of Colon Cancer
Types of Colon Cancer:
- adenocarcinoma of the colon - the most common type of colon cancer. Adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum develop in the glands of the inner lining or mucosa of the intestine and comprise 95% of colorectal cancer.
Subtypes of adenocarcinoma of the colon are:
- mucinous (colloid)
- signet ring
- polyps - common tumors found in about half the population over 40 years of age. These mushroom-like growths are usually benign, but at least one type, adenomatous polyps, may be a precursor to cancer. About 90% of colon cancers are thought to arise from these polyps.
Other Types Include:
- neuroendocrine
- lymphomas
- melanomas
- squamous cell
- sarcomas
- carcinoids
Stages of Colon Cancer:
Stage I
Stage I (Dukes' A) colon cancer is limited to the lining or muscular wall of the colon and has not spread anywhere else.
Stage II
Stage II (Dukes' B) colon cancer has spread through muscular wall of the colon or has extended into adjacent organs through the intestine but has not entered the lymph nodes.
Stage III
Stage III (Dukes' C) colon cancer has spread outside the colon into lymph nodes nearby.
Stage IV
Stage IV colon cancer has spread beyond colon to distant organs (such as the liver, lungs, or bones)
Recurrent
Recurrent colon cancer means that the cancer has recurred after it has been treated. It may recur in or on the colon (e.g., in the suture line) or in another part of the body (metastatic colon cancer).
Metastatic Colon Cancer:
- Colon cancer with bone metastases
- Colon cancer with brain metastases
- Colon cancer with liver metastases
- Colon cancer with lung metastases
- Colon cancer with liver and lung metastases
- Colon cancer with skin metastases
- Colon cancer metastasized to other sites such as the ovaries, buttocks,
etc.
Grade of Colon Cancer:
Grade indicates how quickly or slowly cancer cells grow. The grade is determined by the appearance of the cells under the microscope. Tumors are graded on a scale of 1 to 3.
Grade 1 - cells look most like normal tissue (called well differentiated or low-grade).
Grade 2 - cells look somewhat like normal tissue (called moderately well differentiated or moderate grade).
Grade 3 - cells appear very abnormal (called poorly differentiated or undifferentiated or high-grade). They are likely to grow more quickly and more likely to spread.
