Last Stages of Colon Cancer

The colon is the last few feet of the digestive system, responsible for absorbing water and nutrients from contents passed through it before passing the waste material into the rectum for elimination. Colon cancer is a disease that affects the colon. It's classified through stages.

Tumor

• In the last stage or Stage 4 of colon cancer, the cancerous tumor has grown into the walls of the colon.

Lymph Nodes

• In Stage 4 colon cancer, the cancerous cells have entered the tiny glands, called lymph nodes.

Spread

• The cancerous cells have spread from the lymph nodes into the lymphatic system of the body, causing cancer in other organs, such as the liver, lungs or ovaries.

Blockage

• In Stage 4 colon cancer, the cancer may be large enough to block the colon, making it difficult or completely impossible to pass stool. Some patients in this stage must rely on a colostomy bag in order to eliminate waste.

Treatment

• For Stage 4 colon cancer, surgery to remove the colon or the tumor is not effective treatment due to the spread. Instead, the cancer may be treated with chemotherapy, radiation, freezing or microwaves.