Diagram Colon Cancer Staging
The most common staging system for colorectal cancer is the TNM system. For colorectal cancer there are 5 stages – stage 0 followed by stages 1 to 4. Often the stages 1 to 4 are written as the Roman numerals I, II, III and IV.
How is the stage determined? 1 AJCC Stage. The cancer is in its earliest stage. 2 I. The cancer has grown through the muscularis mucosa into the submucosa (T1),… 3 IIA. The cancer has grown into the outermost layers of the colon or rectum… 4 IIB. The cancer has grown through the wall of the colon or rectum but has not grown…
Cancer staging can be complex, so ask your doctor to explain it to you in a way you understand. The cancer is in its earliest stage. This stage is also known as carcinoma in situ or intramucosal carcinoma (Tis). It has not grown beyond the inner layer (mucosa) of the colon or rectum.