Life Expectancy of Colon Cancer Patients

Colon cancer attacks the colon which is an organ that is part of your digestive system. This type of cancer can be hereditary. This cancer is generally found in older patients, however, it can be found in younger patients as well. The life expectancy of a patient diagnosed with this disease varies depending on what stage the cancer is diagnosed at. Every individual is different so it is important to keep in mind that there is really no set table for life expectancy. Collected data over a period of time has given us some basic guidelines as to what to expect. Keep in mind that there is no expiration date. Some people respond well to treatment while others may not. There are four stages of colon cancer. The life expectancy is charted based on what stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis.

Stage 0: This stage indicates that your physician has found evidence of abnormal cells in the lining of the colon. It is possible that these abnormal cells could become cancerous. Obviously at this stage the life expectancy would be unclear as there is no cancer present the current time.

Stage 1: This stage is indicative that the abnormal cells have progressed from one layer of the colon to the middle layers of the colon and have turned into cancer. Studies have shown that the rate of patients who survive for 5 years with this stage of colon cancer is about 93%.

Stage 2: In stage two the cancer may have already spread into the rectum or other organs in close proximity. The rate of patients who survive for a 5 year period at this stage is between approximately 72 to 85%.

Stage 3: At stage 3, in addition to having spread to your organs and rectum, the cancer may have spread to several of your lymph nodes. Patients that survive for a 5 year period are said to be between 44 and 82%.

Stage 4: By the time you have reached this stage, unfortunately, the cancer has more than likely spread to several other organs. The 5 year survival rate for a patient with stage 4 colon cancer is only at about 8%.

Two Colorectal Syndromes

The two colorectal syndromes that have been associated with a higher risk of colon cancer are Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC) which is hereditary, and Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC), which is inherited in 50% of patients who have this type of cancer. Most patients with APC have an onset of polyps within the first ten years of their life. By the time these patients reach the age of twenty they may have hundreds of polyps in their colon. If left untreated, these polyps will lead to colon cancer. There is about a 50% chance of children born to people with APC developing this syndrome. Patients with HNPCC, unfortunately, have an 80% chance of developing colon cancer. HPNCC is not detected as early as there are no polyps found in earlier life. It is suggested that anyone with HPNCC in their family history be screened yearly, beginning in their twenties.