Staging

After the operation, the laboratory will examine the tumour and surrounding tissue to assess the stage (size and extent) of the cancer, and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes or other organs, such as the liver.

With this information, the doctor will decide if further treatment is recommended. This can be an anxious time as it may take up to 10 days for the results to come back.

Stages of bowel cancer

Stage 0 or carcinoma in situ

This is the earliest form of cancer, found only in the inner lining of the colon or rectum, usually as a polyp. Major surgery is unnecessary and most polyps can be removed at the time of colonoscopy (this is called polypectomy).

Stage I (sometimes called Dukes’ A cancer)

This is also early cancer and is still confined to the inner lining of the bowel. Treatment is surgery to remove the cancer.

Stage II (sometimes called Dukes’ B cancer)

Cancer has spread through the wall of the bowel, but it has not gone to the lymph nodes. Treatment is surgery to remove the cancer. Occasionally, chemotherapy and radiation treatment are recommended.

Stage III (sometimes called Dukes’ C cancer)

Cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes and/or through the bowel wall, but has not spread to other parts of the body. Treatment is surgery to remove the cancer, which is usually followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment.

Stage IV

This means that cancer has spread to other parts of the body; for example, the liver. Treatment options may include surgery and chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment or monoclonal antibodies (see "Treatment for advanced cancer").