How likely is colon cancer returning?
For most people, colorectal cancer doesn’t come back, or “recur.” But in about 35% to 40% of people who get surgery with or without chemotherapy, the cancer may come back within 3 to 5 years of treatment. If this happens, it could be in the colon or rectum, or in another part of the body, such as the liver and lungs.
Where does colon cancer usually recur?
The overall 5-year survival rate of colorectal cancer is approximately 60%. After treatment with curative intent, 30% to 40% of the patients develop recurrent disease. Recurrent disease usually presents as distant metastasis in the liver or lungs or as locoregional recurrence in the pelvis or peritoneum.
Does colon cancer have a high recurrence rate?
The cumulative recurrence rate in colon cancer was 100% at 4 years. In rectal cancer, it was 89% at 5 years, 98% at 7 years and 100% at 10 years. The interval until recurrence was longer in rectal cancer (26.0 +/- 24.2 months) than in colon cancer (17.1 +/- 11.0 months) (p = 0.03).
Can you survive recurrent colon cancer?
Considering overall survival after recurrence, in the late recurrence group, the 1-, 2- and 3-year overall survival rates were 84.4%, 70.3%, and 58.3%, respectively, which were significantly better than those in the early recurrence group (64.3%, 44.2%, and 37.6%, respectively; P = 0.003) (Fig. 1B).
How do I know if my cancer has returned?
Tests such as imaging scans, lab tests, and biopsies can help your doctor figure out if your cancer has recurred. A recurrence isn’t the same thing as a second cancer. That’s a new cancer that develops in another type of cell. Special tests can show your doctor if your disease is recurrent or a new kind.
Can you be completely cured of colon cancer?
Cancer of the colon is a highly treatable and often curable disease when localized to the bowel. Surgery is the primary form of treatment and results in cure in approximately 50% of the patients. Recurrence following surgery is a major problem and is often the ultimate cause of death.
What is the survival rate of recurrent colon cancer?
5-year relative survival rates for colon cancer
| SEER stage | 5-year relative survival rate |
|---|---|
| Localized | 91% |
| Regional | 72% |
| Distant | 14% |
| All SEER stages combined | 64% |
How long do colon cancer survivors live?
How long can you live with recurrent colon cancer?
Once you get beyond five years and there’s no sign of recurrence, that patient is likely cured of their disease,” says Dr. Tsarwhas. “If they have incurable metastatic colon cancer, life expectancy is unfortunately limited. It’s currently somewhere in the range of 20 to 36 months.
Are cancers more aggressive when returning?
Cancer recurrence may seem even more unfair then. Worse, it’s often more aggressive in the younger cancer survivor – it may grow and spread faster. This aggressiveness means that it could come back earlier and be harder to treat.
Where does colon cancer usually metastasize first?
The most common site of metastases for colorectal cancer, which includes colon cancer or rectal cancer is the liver. Colorectal cancer cells may also spread to the lungs, bones, brain or spinal cord.