Stage 3 colorectal cancer means the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes, but it has not spread to distant parts of the body.
Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. Depending on where it begins, people may refer to it as colon cancer or rectal cancer.
Treatment typically involves a combination of options, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Staging cancer
Doctors may use a numerical staging for colorectal cancer. They may also use the TNM staging, which includes:
- T (tumor): This refers to the size of the tumor and its potential spread into nearby tissues.
- N (nodes): This describes if the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes.
- M (metastasis): This outlines whether the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
Doctors characterize stage 3 colorectal cancer as the spread of cancer to nearby lymph nodes but not to distant parts of the body.
They typically divide it into three subcategories:
Stage 3A
Healthcare professionals divide stage 3 colorectal cancer into
| TNM staging | Description |
|---|---|
| T1 or T2 N1 or N1c M0 | The cancer has spread through the mucosa — the innermost layer of the colon or rectum — into the submucosa and possibly the muscle layer. It has also affected 1 to 3 nearby lymph nodes. |
| T1 N2a M0 | The cancer has spread through the mucosa into the submucosa and has affected between 4 and 6 nearby lymph nodes. |
Stage 3B
Stage 3B colorectal cancer can refer to
| TNM staging | Description |
|---|---|
| T3 or T4a N1 or N1c M0 | Cancer has spread through the muscle layer to the serosa — the outermost layer — of the colon or rectum wall, or has invaded tissues lining nearby organs or structures. However, it has not reached the nearby organs. It has affected 1 to 3 nearby lymph nodes or it has affected the areas of fat near the lymph nodes. |
| T2 or T3 N2a M0 | The cancer has spread to the muscle layer or the serosa and/or the rectum wall. It has also spread to 4 to 6 lymph nodes. |
| T1 or T2 N2b M0 | The cancer has spread through the mucosa to the submucosa, or it has spread to the muscle layer of the colon and/or rectum. It affects 7 or more lymph nodes. |
Stage 3C
Stage 3C colorectal cancer can refer to
| TNM staging | Description |
|---|---|
| T4a N2a M0 | The cancer has spread through the serosa into the wall of the tissue that lines the abdominal organs, called the visceral peritoneum. It has also spread to 4 to 6 nearby lymph nodes. |
| T3 or T4a N2b M0 | The cancer has spread beyond the muscle layer of the the colon and/or rectum wall to the serosa. It has also spread through the visceral peritoneum. It has affected 7 or more lymph nodes. |
| T4b N1 or N2 M0 | The cancer has spread to nearby organs and has spread to 1 or more nearby lymph nodes. Alternatively, the cancer cells have formed in the tissue near the lymph nodes. |
A person may experience a variety of symptoms depending on the tumor’s location within the colon or rectum and the extent of its spread. Some common symptoms include:
- persistent diarrhea or constipation
- changes in stool consistency or shape, such as narrower stools
- blood in the stool, which may appear bright red or dark
- cramps or pain in the abdomen
- bloating and gas
- unexplained weight loss
- fatigue or weakness
- a feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation
- anemia due to chronic blood loss
- nausea or vomiting, if the bowel is partially or completely obstructed
The goal of treatment is to remove the primary tumor, eradicate microscopic cancer cells, and reduce the risk of cancer returning.
Doctors may use a combination of treatments, including:
- Colon resection: This refers to the
removal of the section of the colon containing the cancer and nearby lymph nodes. - Rectal surgery: For rectal cancer, doctors
may use different surgical techniques depending on the location and size of the tumor. - Adjuvant chemotherapy: Doctors administer chemotherapy after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. Common drugs
include FOLFOX (5-FU, leucovorin, oxaliplatin) and CAPOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin). - Radiation therapy: Doctors often use this
alongside chemotherapy for rectal cancer to reduce the tumor size before surgery or to target residual cancer cells after surgery.
Factors influencing a person’s outlook
- Lymph node involvement: The extent to which the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes can affect the survival rate.
- Tumor characteristics: The size, location, and specific biological markers of the tumor can also affect a person’s outlook.
- Treatment response: How well the cancer responds to treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy is important to a person’s outlook
- Overall health: The person’s general health and the presence of other medical conditions can influence survival outcomes.
The 5-year relative survival rate is approximately
The relative survival rate indicates how long someone with a condition may live after their diagnosis compared to someone without the condition of the same race, sex, and age over a specific time. This is different from overall survival rate, which is a percentage of people still alive for a specific time after diagnosis of a condition.
It is most important to remember that figures are estimates, and everyone is different. A person can talk with their doctor about their specific condition.
Is stage 3 colorectal cancer curable?
Stage 3 colorectal cancer can be curable, especially with prompt and aggressive treatment.
Is it worthwhile to undergo chemotherapy for stage 3 colorectal cancer?
Chemotherapy is a common treatment option for stage 3 colorectal cancer. It can help kill any remaining cancer cells after surgery, reduce the risk of cancer recurrence, and improve overall survival rates.
A person can discuss how chemotherapy is going to affect their outlook and the side effects they may experience.
How many rounds of chemotherapy are necessary for stage 3 colon cancer?
The
The schedule can vary depending on which chemotherapy drugs they are using, and the length of treatment depends on how well it is working and the side effects a person is experiencing. However, doctors usually administer chemotherapy treatment before or after surgery for 3 to 6 months.
Stage 3 colorectal cancer refers to cancer that has spread to the nearby lymph nodes but not to distant parts of the body.
While stage 3 colorectal cancer requires comprehensive treatment, it is possible to achieve long-term remission.
Treatment success depends on various factors, including early detection, the extent of cancer spread, and how well the cancer responds to therapy.