What is Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer, sometimes referred to as the colorectal cancer, is a cancer that affects the colon or the rectum, the end of the digestive system. According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer is the 3rd most common cancer among both men and women in the United States.

There are several layers of tissues in colon and rectum. Colon cancer typically starts from the innermost layer and spreads outwards into the outer layers, and eventually invades other tissues and organs. Colon cancer stages are dependent on how far the cancer has spread through the various colon / rectum tissue layers.

Colon cancer usually begins as a non-cancerous clump of cells (called polyps). Over time, these cells become cancerous. As such, removing such polyps can prevent colon cancer.

Colon Cancer Survival Rate

The 5-year relative survival rate for colon cancer in the US is 64.4%, according to the National Cancer Institute.

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