Live Life Team
The prognosis for colon cancer can vary depending on what stage and location(s) in which it is found. It is one of the most common types of cancer, and tends not to be detected in the earliest, and most easily treated, stages of its progression because symptoms may not be noticed and are commonly and easily attributed to other causes.
Early screening programs are a vital step in improving the prognosis for colon cancer patients, since the cancer is most easily treated and, in many cases, eradicated in the early stages, with the least damage to the patient. Regular screening is recommended for older adults and, in particular, people with risk factors including men, middle-aged and senior adults, those who engage in low levels of activity, have pre-existing intestinal issues, or are obese.
If signs of colon cancer are suspected, your doctor can investigate causes and refer you as needed to a specialist for further testing and diagnosis. Early tests may include a stool test and blood tests for signs that might suggest cancer, although there is no definitive blood test for cancer itself at this time. Using a scope to examine the inside of your colon and extract a biopsy, if necessary, is another common first line of defence. A colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or fecal immunochemical test may be performed.
Imaging technology such as an ultrasound, X-ray, CT, or MRI may also be conducted to investigate. In most cases, these are used to screen other areas of the body for tumours in case the cancer has spread.
If cancer is confirmed, courses of treatment will likely include surgery to remove the cancerous growths and radiation, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy to target any remaining cancerous cells.
There is a correlation between the stage of colon cancer and how positive the outcomes might be. The prognosis for colon cancer patients at Stage 1 is excellent. They have a 92% chance of surviving at least another five years. At the other end of the spectrum, patients with Stage 4 cancer have only an 11% chance of surviving an additional five years.
This dramatic difference in the outcomes of the prognosis for colon cancer reinforces just how important regular screening tests and diligently reporting symptoms to your doctor can be. Treating colon cancer early means minimally invasive surgical procedures that involve the removal of pre-cancerous polyps or small tumours.
In later stages, the cancerous growths cause more damage to the colon and require more significant surgeries to remove larger portions of the colon. Surgeries may involve resectioning the colon or creating an opening to the abdomen to temporarily or permanently divert waste into a synthetic pouch called an ostomy. Nearby lymph nodes are generally removed for testing.
In advanced cases, operations may be oriented more towards improving quality of life, and may not be able to effectively remove cancer. Other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy seek to address cancerous cells that cannot be removed via surgery.
The prognosis for colon cancer is mostly dependent on the stage or severity and location of the cancer, and can range from very positive to dire.
