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What is the prognosis for people with colorectal cancer?
Every person is different and responds differently to treatment. However,
with prompt and appropriate treatment, the outlook for a person with colorectal
cancer is hopeful. The survival rate for people with colorectal cancer depends
on the extent of the cancer at the time of
diagnosis and the individual’s response to treatment. In addition, many new
discoveries have the potential for improving the treatment of colorectal cancer,
as well as the prognosis.
Several factors determine how well a person will do after treatment for
colorectal cancer. They include:
Stage of the cancer — This is the most critical factor. Survival for
Stage I colon or rectal cancer is close to 100 percent. Survival for Stage
II is 80 percent to 85 percent, and for Stage III 60 percent to 67 percent.
Chemotherapy might improve prognosis for Stage III cancer. Stage IV
cancer has a poor prognosis; about 5 percent to 10 percent are alive at five
years.
The number of lymph glands involved — The lymph system is a
circulatory system that includes an extensive network of lymph vessels and
lymph nodes. The lymphatic system helps coordinate the immune system’s
function to protect the body from foreign substances. The more lymph glands
that were affected by the cancer, the more likely your cancer will recur.
Chemotherapy might be needed in cases where many
lymph nodes are involved.
If the cancer spreads to other organs — If the colorectal cancer
is advanced, it might spread to other organs, such as the liver or lungs. In
this case, additional chemotherapy or radiation might be needed to help delay the further
spread of the cancer.
Quality of the surgery — This is most important for rectal
cancers, where the surgery can be difficult. Survival rates for Stage III
rectal cancers can vary from 20 percent to 67 percent, according to
factors such as the hospital and the
surgeon who does the operation.
Many people who have had colorectal cancer live normal life spans. The
treatments available today offer good outcomes, but you might require several
treatments or a combination of treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation) to
have the best chance of avoiding a recurrence of
the cancer. Remember to tell your doctor about any changes in your health. This
will help him or her decide if you need any additional screening tests or
treatment.
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