Colon Cancer Staging

Colon cancer staging describes how far the cancer has spread in the body, helping determine the best treatment and prognosis. It ranges from stage I, where the cancer is confined to the inner layers of the colon, to stage IV, where it has spread to other organs or distant parts of the body. The staging often uses the TNM system: Tumor size and extent (T), spread to lymph nodes (N), and presence of metastasis (M). Accurate staging involves imaging, biopsies, and surgical findings, guiding treatment decisions such as surgery, chemotherapy, or targeted therapies.