Colon cancer forms in the tissues of the colon, which is the longest part of the large intestine. Colon cancer is staged from stage 0 to stage IV, in order of severity from least to most. Stage III colon cancer means there is cancer in nearby lymph nodes but not in other areas of the body, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Significance
The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2009, more than 106,000 new diagnoses of colon cancer will be made in the United States.
Surgery Option
For Stage III colon cancer, surgery typically consists of resection and anastomosis. This means the surgeon will remove the cancer and a margin of healthy tissue that surrounds the cancer, then sew the noncancerous parts of the colon together to make a functional colon.
Other Surgery
If the surgeon is not able to join the two parts of the colon together, a colostomy will be done. This involves an opening called a stoma being made on the exterior of the body so waste can be expelled, and a bag is attached to collect the waste.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is often partnered with surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Chemotherapy is medication that interferes with the growth and replication of cancer cells, and it can be given orally or intravenously depending on the drug.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are studies in which researchers can see if new treatments are effective in killing cancer. Clinical trials in 2009 for Stage III colon cancer include new chemotherapy options, radiation and antibody therapy, according to the National Cancer Institute.
