Finding blood in your stool can be an alarming symptom. While there are many potential causes, one possibility is colon cancer. Knowing the stages of colon cancer can help determine how advanced the disease may be if blood is present.
Stages of Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is staged based on the extent of the disease using the TNM system:
- T describes the extent of spread to the layers of the colon wall
- N indicates spread to nearby lymph nodes
- M means metastasis or spread to distant organs like the liver or lungs
Here are the main stages of colon cancer:
Stage | Description |
---|---|
Stage 0 | Cancer is in its earliest stages and limited to the inner lining of the colon |
Stage I | Cancer has grown into deeper layers of the colon wall but hasn’t spread to lymph nodes or other organs |
Stage II | Cancer has grown into the wall of the colon and may have spread to nearby tissue but still hasn’t spread to lymph nodes |
Stage III | Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but not yet to other organs |
Stage IV | Cancer has spread to distant sites like the liver or lungs |
Blood in Stool and Colon Cancer Stages
So what colon cancer stage is most likely if you have noticed blood in your stool?
Here is an overview of when blood in stool may occur with each stage:
- Stage 0: Rarely causes blood in stool
- Stage I: May begin to cause traces of blood, often not visible
- Stage II: More likely to cause intermittent blood, may be visible at times
- Stage III: Routinely causes blood; often visible in stool
- Stage IV: Frequent visible blood is common
As you can see, blood in the stool becomes more common and noticeable as colon cancer progresses to later stages.
What Does Blood in Stool Look Like?
The appearance of blood in your stool may also give clues as to potential colon cancer stages:
Appearance | Description | Indication |
---|---|---|
Streaks of blood | Thin streaks of blood in or on stool | Potential small polyps or early stage cancer |
Spots of blood | Small spots or drips of blood in stool | Potential small polyps or early stage cancer |
Mixed with stool | Stool appears reddish or maroon | Potential later stage cancer and internal bleeding |
Coating stool | Blood coats or drips off of stool | Potential later stage cancer and bleeding mass |
While traces of blood may indicate benign polyps or early stage cancer, visible coating of blood on stool likely signals a later stage tumor that is actively bleeding.
What Else Can Cause Blood in Stool?
While colon cancer is one potential cause, there are other conditions that can result in blood in the stool as well. These include:
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissures
- Diverticulosis
- Angiodysplasia
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Celiac disease
- Peptic ulcers
- Intestinal infections
Many of these tend to cause sporadic traces of visible or invisible blood. Persistent visible blood, especially later in life, requires colon cancer screening.
When to Seek Evaluation for Blood in Stool
The American Cancer Society recommends seeking prompt medical evaluation if you notice the following:
- Blood in or on your stool
- Blood coating or dripping off stool
- Changes in stool color to reddish or black
- Constant diarrhea or constipation
- Narrower than normal stool
- Abdominal pain, bloating or cramps
Evaluation is recommended starting at age 45, or earlier if you have other colon cancer risk factors. Testing may include:
- Medical history and exam
- Fecal immunochemical test
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Colonoscopy and biopsy
Based on test results, your doctor can determine if cancer is present and if so, the stage. Early detection provides the best outcomes.
Can Colon Cancer Be Found Early?
Colon cancer can often be found at an early, treatable stage through proper screening:
Screening Test | Frequency |
---|---|
Colonoscopy | Every 10 years beginning at age 45 |
Flexible sigmoidoscopy | Every 5 years beginning at age 45 |
CT colonography | Every 5 years beginning at age 45 |
Fecal immunochemical test | Yearly beginning at age 45 |
Stool DNA test | Every 3 years beginning at age 45 |
Screening allows detection of precancerous polyps that can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening is recommended earlier and more frequently for those at higher risk.
Colon Cancer Survival Rates by Stage
Survival rates give an indication of prognosis at different stages of colon cancer:
Stage | 5-Year Relative Survival Rate |
---|---|
Stage 0 | 90% |
Stage I | 92% |
Stage IIA | 87% |
Stage IIB | 63% |
Stage IIC | 63% |
Stage IIIA | 89% |
Stage IIIB | 69% |
Stage IIIC | 53% |
Stage IVA | 18% |
Stage IVB | 6% |
As shown, early stage colon cancer treated promptly has a high 5-year survival rate. Later stage colon cancer that has spread has a much lower survival outlook.
Treatment Options by Stage
Colon cancer treatment depends on the stage and may include:
Stage | Treatment Options |
---|---|
Stage 0 | Polypectomy during colonoscopy |
Stage I | Surgery to remove section of colon and nearby lymph nodes |
Stage II | Surgery plus chemotherapy |
Stage III | Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy |
Stage IV | Chemotherapy, radiation, targeted drug therapy |
While early stages may only require minor surgery, later stages often need a combination of aggressive therapies.
Conclusion
Blood in the stool can result from colon cancer, especially as the disease progresses to later stages. Notify your doctor promptly with any change in bowel habits or blood present. Cancer found early through screening provides the best chance for remission and survival. Maintaining recommended colon cancer screening beginning at age 45 offers the best opportunity for detection and successful treatment.