How long can one live after colon cancer surgery?

Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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If colon cancer can be treated surgically, generally, the outcomes might be quite good. It often applies to cancer in relatively early stages, with potentials to survive for over three years, five years, or even longer. Of course, there are cases of colon cancer that are discovered in later stages, where complete surgical removal is not possible, and only palliative stoma surgery can be performed. In such situations, the survival time might be within three to five years, but the exact life expectancy cannot be fully determined. Each individual's condition is different, and treatment must be adapted accordingly. Typically after surgery, treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy might be used in combination to prolong survival.

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Is stage II-III colon cancer considered late stage?

Patients with stage II and III colon cancer are not yet considered to be in the classic advanced stages. Current oncology believes that colon cancer is categorized as stage IV and considered advanced when distant metastases occur. Common sites of metastasis for colon cancer include the liver, lungs, and bones. Stage II colon cancer patients do not have metastases to the pericolic lymph nodes, which is relatively early; stage III colon cancer patients have metastases to the pericolic lymph nodes, which is later than stage II, but as long as there are no distant metastases, it does not reach the advanced stage IV.

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Can advanced colorectal cancer be cured?

Complete cure is often difficult to achieve in the middle and late stages of colorectal cancer. Of course, it is possible to control the progression of the lesion and then prolong survival. For middle and late-stage colorectal cancer, if the treatment is reasonable or effective, it is possible to survive for more than three years, five years, or even longer. Clinically, surviving more than five years without recurrence is considered a clinical cure. Of course, there is still a possibility of recurrence after five years, but the probability of recurrence will be much lower. If one can survive more than ten years, or even 20 years without recurrence, it is basically considered a cure, but regular check-ups are still necessary afterward, as it cannot be guaranteed that there will be no recurrence. For the middle and late stages of colorectal cancer, surgical treatment should be pursued whenever possible, followed by a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy after surgery.

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Differentiation between Colon Polyps and Colon Cancer

The most distinct diagnostic criteria between colon polyps and colon cancer are that colon polyps are benign lesions, whereas colon cancer is a malignant tumor of the intestines. Colon polyps are generally small in size or present as multiple polyps, with localized mucosal elevation. They may appear the size of mung beans or be pedunculated, and may be accompanied by mild abdominal pain, generally without blood in the stool. In contrast, during the onset of colon cancer, there is usually abdominal pain accompanied by bloody stools. In the later or advanced stages of colon cancer, after the tumor ruptures, it may also lead to severe gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as overall bodily wasting and anemia. The prognosis for colon polyps is relatively good; regular follow-up checks are sufficient. However, for colon cancer, if detected early, surgical removal can be an option. The survival rate in the middle and late stages is lower than in the early stage, and treatment may require a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

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Can baby's stool with blood be colon cancer?

Blood in the stool of babies is different from that in adults. In infants and young children, due to weaker gastrointestinal digestive functions, inappropriate feeding, changes in diet structure, or abnormal gastrointestinal functions can all lead to the presence of blood in the stool, which is usually not due to colon cancer. Therefore, if a child has persistent blood in their stool accompanied by either no weight gain or weight loss, or other abnormal symptoms, and if there is a suspicion of cancer-related factors, parents should promptly take the child to a hospital for a thorough examination. In most cases, blood in a baby's stool is commonly due to poor digestion of the gastrointestinal tract or from gastroenteritis caused by viruses or bacteria due to an increase in the frequency of bowel movements, or it could be due to severe constipation in the baby, where factors like anal fissures might also lead to blood in the stool.

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What causes colon cancer?

Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive system, and its occurrence is related to the following factors: First, dietary factors. A high-fat content and a low fiber content in the diet both lead to an increased incidence of colorectal cancer. Furthermore, long-term consumption of pickled foods can also increase the incidence of colorectal cancer, presumably because these foods contain higher levels of nitrosamine carcinogens. Second, some benign chronic diseases of the colon, such as adenomatous polyps and certain chronic colitis, can also lead to an increased incidence of colorectal cancer. Third, environmental factors. Epidemiological studies have found that the occurrence of colorectal cancer is related to geographical distribution. In some environments with a high incidence of colorectal cancer, the content of some trace elements in the soil is too low, leading to a high incidence of colorectal cancer.