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Once cancer of the rectum is found
(diagnosed), more tests will be done to find out if cancer cells
have spread to other parts of the body (staging). A doctor needs to
know the stage of the disease to plan treatment. The following
stages are used for cancer of the rectum:
Stage 0 cancer of the rectum is very early
cancer. Cancer is found only in the top lining of the rectum.
Cancer has spread beyond the top lining of the
rectum to the second and third layers and involves the inside wall
of the rectum, but has not spread to the outer wall of the rectum or
outside the rectum.
Stage I cancer of the rectum is sometimes
called Dukes A rectal cancer.
Cancer has spread outside the rectum to nearby
tissue, but it has not gone into the lymph nodes. (Lymph nodes are
small, bean-shaped structures that are found throughout the body.
They produce and store cells that fight infection.)
Stage II cancer of the rectum is sometimes
called Dukes B rectal cancer.
Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, but
it has not spread to other parts of the body. (Lymph nodes are small
bean-shaped structures that are found throughout the body. They
produce and store cells that fight infection.)
Stage III cancer of the rectum is sometimes
called Dukes C rectal cancer.
Cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Stage IV cancer of the rectum is sometimes
called Dukes D rectal cancer.
Recurrent disease means that the cancer has
come back (recurred) after it has been treated. It may come back in
the rectum or in another part of the body. Recurrent cancer of the
rectum is often found in the liver and/or lungs.
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For more information on colorectal
cancer, please visit the Colorectal Cancer Home
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