When colon cancer is diagnosed, the important thing is to determine the stage of the cancer. Because this stage shows the extent of the cancer or how much it has spread. The stages of colon cancer are essential for the best and correct treatment. This staging method is called the TNM staging system. The TNM staging system considers the following factors:
Primary Tumor: Primary tumor refers to how large the tumor is and how far the cancer has spread.
Regional Lymph Nodes: Regional lymph nodes are the sites of cancer cells. It shows whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Distant Metastases: Distant metastases indicate whether the cancer has spread from the colon to other parts of the body, such as the lung or liver.
Classification of Cancer Stages
Each In the category, cancer is classified once again according to its level. Thus, the level of cancer is determined in more detail. This is a guide in the treatment method.
This subclassification is as follows:
Stage 0
This is the initial state of colon cancer and the cancer has not yet gone beyond the innermost layer of the intestine.
>Stage 1
In this stage, the cancer has spread to the inner layer of the colon, called the mucosa, and the next layer of the colon, called the submucosa. However, it has not yet progressed to the lymph nodes.
Stage 2
2. In this stage, the cancer is at a more advanced level than the previous stage, and this stage is classified as 2A, 2B and 2C. The progression is different in each stage.
2A:In this stage, the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or nearby tissue, but has reached the outer layers of the colon.
2B:At this stage, the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes, but has progressed to the outer layer of the colon and the membrane that holds the organs in the abdominal area (visceral peritoneum).
2C:At this stage, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes again. It does not progress as far as the colon, but has advanced towards nearby organs or tissues in addition to the outer layer of the colon.
Stage 3
This stage is divided into three classes, just like Stage 2:
3A:The cancer has grown into the muscle layers of the colon and has advanced to nearby lymph nodes. However, distant lymph nodes and It has not spread to either organs.
3B:;Cancer has progressed to the visceral peritoneum and other organs. It is also seen in one to three lymph nodes.
3C:At this point, cancer is found in four or more nearby lymph nodes but not in distant areas.
Stage 4
This stage of cancer is divided into 4A and 4B:
4A:This stage indicates that the cancer has spread to distant organs such as the liver or lung.
4B:This most advanced stage of colon cancer indicates that the cancer has spread to two or more distant organs.
In addition to this classification, colon cancer is also classified as low-grade and high-grade. When a pathologist examines cancer cells, he determines the degree to which these cells resemble healthy cells. The more healthy cells resemble cancerous cells, this indicates that the cancer is high-grade and the cancer will grow faster.
As explained above, if colon cancer is diagnosed in its early stages, it means that it has not spread yet and its treatment is more possible. Therefore, do not hesitate to share your doubts with a doctor and do not forget to have a colonoscopy if you are over 40 years old. Remember, early diagnosis saves lives.
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