Prognosis depends on the stage of cancer at diagnosis. For example, the 5-year relative survival rate for early-stage bowel cancer is as high as 98.6%. For metastatic bowel cancer, the rate is around 13.4%. Specialists often use 5-year relative survival rates to evaluate and compare treatment options.
If the cancer is diagnosed at a localized stage, the survival rate is 91%. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or organs and/or the regional lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is 72%. If colon cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, the 5-year survival rate is 14%.
How long does it take for a polyp to turn into cancer? The growth and mutation of colon polyps into cancer is a slow process, taking an estimated 10 years on average.
The colon cancer survival rate is encouragingly high; more than 92 percent of patients diagnosed with stage 1 colon cancer live for at least five years after diagnosis.
Cancer of the colon is a highly treatable and often curable disease when localized to the bowel. Surgery is the primary form of treatment and results in cure in approximately 50% of the patients. Recurrence following surgery is a major problem and is often the ultimate cause of death.
In most cases, colon and rectal cancers grow slowly over many years. Most of those cancers start as a growth called a polyp.
This is referred to as metastatic (stage IV) colorectal cancer. Cure is not possible for most patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, although some patients who have limited involvement of distant organs (particularly restricted to the liver and/or lung) can be cured with surgery.
Survival for all stages of bowel cancer
almost 80 out of 100 people (almost 80%) survive their cancer for 1 year or more. almost 60 out of 100 people (almost 60%) survive their cancer for 5 years or more. almost 55 out of 100 people (almost 55%) survive their cancer for 10 years or more.
Usually if a suspected colorectal cancer is found by any screening or diagnostic test, it is biopsied during a colonoscopy. In a biopsy, the doctor removes a small piece of tissue with a special instrument passed through the scope. Less often, part of the colon may need to be surgically removed to make the diagnosis.
Surgery is the main treatment. People with very early colon cancer (stage 1) do not usually need chemotherapy. But this might change after surgery. After your operation, a specialist doctor (pathologist) looks closely at your cancer.
If a polyp has cancerous cells, they will also biopsy nearby lymph nodes to determine if the cancer has spread or metastasized to other areas of the body. In this case radiation, chemotherapy or other therapies may be recommended. Colonoscopy screenings can be life saving!
A colon polyp is a small clump of cells that forms on the lining of the colon. Most colon polyps are harmless. But over time, some colon polyps can develop into colon cancer, which may be fatal when found in its later stages.
If they found precancerous cells, there is no need for any additional treatment as long as they removed the entire polyp. Removing the tissue stops the development of cancer. Since you are still at an increased risk, we will likely recommend repeating the screening every three to five years in the future.
Myth: Most of the time, when you are diagnosed with colon cancer, it is already spreading to other parts of your body. Fact: This is simply not true. The majority of patients diagnosed with colon cancer can be treated and will go on to live normal lives.
Colon cancer, or cancer that begins in the lower part of the digestive tract, usually forms from a collection of benign (noncancerous) cells called an adenomatous polyp. Most of these polyps will not become malignant (cancerous), but some can slowly turn into cancer over the course of about 10-15 years.
Once colon cancer treatments are no longer working, the cancer is considered terminal. At this point, it is essential to know what to expect. Though the condition will continue to progress, the timing of death is very unpredictable.
If you've been diagnosed with colon cancer, your doctor may recommend tests to determine the extent (stage) of your cancer. Staging helps determine what treatments are most appropriate for you. Staging tests may include imaging procedures such as abdominal, pelvic and chest CT scans.
Stage III adenocarcinoma of the colon is a common and curable cancer. Depending on the features of the cancer, 40-50% of patients are cured without evidence of cancer recurrence following treatment with surgery alone.
Approximately 6% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed within 3 to 5 years after the patient received a colonoscopy, according to findings from a recent population-based study.
Stage 4 bowel (colon and rectal) cancer means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs. It's also called advanced bowel cancer.
Stage 4: The most advanced state of colon cancer. Cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Treatment options are limited, and the tumor is difficult to cure. Symptoms may include bloody stool, constipation, and abdominal pain.
Adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemo is often given for a total of 3 to 6 months, depending on the drugs used. The length of treatment for advanced colorectal cancer depends on how well it is working and what side effects you have.
Colon cancer most often spreads to the liver, but it can also spread to other places like the lungs, brain, peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), or to distant lymph nodes. In most cases surgery is unlikely to cure these cancers.
In fact, about 90% of people treated for stage 1 colon cancer live at least 5 years after the cancer is found. That being said, colon cancer can come back, which is called recurrence. But the risk of this with stage 1 colon cancer is low compared with other stages.