Stage 3 Colon Cancer

Stage 3 Colon Cancer (sometimes also called Duke's C Colon Cancer) is an advanced stage of the disease. By this point, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are part of the human lymphatic system and once the cancer reaches them it can then spread to other more distant parts of the body.

Stage 3A Colon Cancer

At this stage, the cancer has spread to 1-3 lymph nodes.

Stage 3B Colon Cancer

At this stage, the cancer has spread to 1-3 lymph nodes and

• has reached past the middle layers of the colon,
• nearby tissues,
• nearby organs like the bladder or ovaries, or
• the peritoneum (the tissue surrounding the organsin the abdominal area)

Stage 3C Colon Cancer

At this stage, the cancer has spread to 4 or more lymph nodes.

What Is the Treatment for Stage 3 Colon Cancer?

Normally, treatment requires surgery to remove the tumor, the surrounding portions of the colon, the nearby lymph nodes, and possibly other sections that may contain cancer cells. The surgery is normally followed by several months of chemotherapy. There are various chemotherapy drugs that can be used (often in conjunction) in the treatment of cancer. The chemotherapy is used in an attempt to eliminate any cancer that may remain in the body following the surgery. Radiation therapy is sometimes used (depending largely on the location of the cancer). Patients are generally followed with periodic colonoscopies and blood work until there is a recurrence (which would require additional treatment) or sufficient time passes that the patient is no longer considered to be at high risk of recurrence. Doctors generally use five years as the period during which the patient is at greatest risk of a recurrence.

What Is the Survival Rate for Stage 3 Colon Cancer?

The generally cited 5-year survival rate for stage 3 colon cancers varies from as 44% for the Stage 3C, to 64% for Stage 3B and 83% for Stage 3A. While this number is valid over the general population of patient's, it is impossible to predict how a given individual will react to treatment. Many factors, including the patient's age, overall health, and the degree to which the disease has spread, all can influence the individual patient's prognosis.