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Colon cancer results when cancer cells develop on the wall of the colon, or large intestine. As the second leading cause of death by cancer, it is one of the more common forms of cancer. 

However, because of regular screening colonoscopies and more advanced treatments, the death rate from colon cancer has dropped by more than half since 1970.
Colorectal cancer is the collective term for both colon cancer and rectal cancer.  Rectal cancer develops on the lowest part of the large intestine.

At University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC), our team of GI cancer specialists diagnose and treat malignancies in the colon and rectum at all stages. 

Because UMGCCC is a comprehensive cancer center, our patients have access to clinical trials and cutting-edge colon cancer treatment therapies.

Colon Cancer Survival Rate and Stages

If colon cancer is only in the large intestine when detected, it is in the local stage. About 40 percent of  patients with colorectal cancer are diagnosed at this stage. The five-year survival rate for people diagnosed in this stage is 90 percent.

When cancer has spread to nearby tissues, organs or lymph nodes, this is the regional stage. Colorectal cancer is caught at this stage for 35 percent of  patients. The five-year survival rate is 71 percent.

When the cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the liver or the lungs, this is stage IV colon cancer. The five-year survival rate is 14 percent.

Colon Polyps and Colorectal Cancer

Colon and rectal cancers usually begin as small clumps of cells. These clumps are known as colon polyps. Most polyps are harmless. However, because they can become cancerous, removing these polyps can prevent colorectal cancer.

Regular screening colonoscopy exams allow colorectal cancer to be detected in its earliest, most curable stages. Because doctors remove any colon polyps during these exams, a colonoscopy is the only regular cancer screening that can prevent cancer.

Colon Cancer Treatment

The usual treatment for colon cancer is surgery to remove a section of the colon. This operation is called a bowel resection. The exact procedure and whether radiation therapy or chemotherapy is also needed will  depend on how much and where the cancer has spread.

Learn more about colon cancer treatment options at UMGCCC.

Risks for Colon Cancer

People at a higher risk to develop colon cancer include adults over 50 and those with:

  • Inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
  • A family history of colon cancer, especially at a young age, including familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)
  • Type 2 diabetes and/or obesity
  • History of smoking tobacco

Other Reasons for Bowel Resection Surgery

Besides cancer, there are other reasons why the colorectal surgeons at the University of Maryland Medical Center might perform a colon resection. The surgeons at UMGCCC may perform a large bowel resection for a variety of other diseases and conditions, including:

  • Diverticulitis
  • Blockage of the intestine
  • Ulcerative colitis that does not respond to medical therapy
  • Traumatic injuries

Make an Appointment

At UMGCCC, we believe in treating the whole person, not just the disease. Our array of support services help patients and families cope with the stress that accompanies a major illness.

We make every effort to schedule new patient consultations within 24 to 48 hours. To schedule a consultation or refer a patient, call us at 410-328-7904 or at 1-800-888-8823 if outside the Baltimore Metro area.

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