You’ll also learn about the expected outcome if you or a loved one are diagnosed with it.
Common
A tumor within the colon can cause astricture, which is narrowing of the intestinal passage.
As a result, symptoms like abdominal cramping or a change in bowel habitsconstipationordiarrheamay occur.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Bleeding is another potential symptom.
You may notice brightred blood in your stoolorstool that looks dark brown or black.
Alternatively, your stool may look perfectly normal.
Slow bleeding from the tumor may cause a low red blood cell count (iron deficiency anemia).
Anemia can make you feel unusually weak or tired and can be diagnosed with a simple blood test.
The majority of them areadenocarcinomas, cancers that start in cells that secrete fluids like digestive juices.
The less common types of colon cancer can sometimes manifest with distinct symptoms.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Based on these initial findings, other tests may be ordered.
That’s why a diagnostic colonoscopy (see below) is recommended in these cases instead.
A colonoscopy can also help rule out other conditions, such asCrohn’s diseaseorulcerative colitis.
Colonoscopy is relatively non-invasive and typically performed undermonitored anesthesia.
Most diagnostic colonoscopies can be performed within 30 to 60 minutes, not including preparation and anesthesia recovery time.
A biopsy is usually performed during a colonoscopy.
In some cases, surgery may be required to perform a biopsy.
Once obtained, the sample is sent to a doctor called apathologist.
The pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope to determine whether cancer cells are present.
These factors help guide the patient’s treatment plan and also help predict a patient’sprognosis, or likely outcome.
Cancer Staging
The exactstage of the colon cancercharacterizes the extent of its progression.
The stage is confirmed when the tumor is surgically removed.
Numbers from 0 to as high as 5 are attached to each letter to describe the degree of involvement.
Tumor Grade
In addition to staging, the tumor will be graded by the pathologist.
The grade predicts the likely behavior of a tumor based on how abnormal the cells look.
Typically, your medical oncologist oversees and helps coordinate all facets of your cancer care.
Your general physician confers with the specialists to manage your overall health.
All are essential to your long-term health and well-being.
Even if partial remission is achieved, treatment can slow the progression of the cancer.
With improved therapies and treatment protocols, people with stage 3 colon cancer are living longer than ever.
This is called apartial colectomyor subtotal colectomy.
The cutends of the intestines are then surgically attachedwith staples or sutures.
Generally speaking, a lymph node dissection is considered adequate when at least 12 lymph nodes are taken out.
Prognosis
The prognosis of stage 3 colon cancer has improved enormously in the past few decades.
The prognosis of stage 3 colon cancer is reflected bysurvival rates.
The survival rate is divided into three stages.
Survival rates are based solely on the extent of the disease.
As such, the above-listed survival rates only provide a general sense of expectations.
The diagnosis of stage 3 colon cancer requires a biopsy, often performed during a colonoscopy.
Seeking out support from others and staying active are often helpful coping strategies.
Even if complete remission is not achieved, do not give up hope.
Every case of colon cancer is different, with some people responding to certain therapies better than others.
In addition to approved therapies, there are numerousclinical trialsto explore, offering a possible bridge to future treatments.
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