Colorectal Cancer Survival Rate

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer (ICD 10 code C18.9), also known as colon cancer, is characterized as a malignant neoplasm in the ICD-10 code icd 10 code for colon cancer. Colorectal cancer refers to neoplasms that starts in the colon or rectum. It is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the United States, with over 100,000 new cases diagnosed yearly [¹]. While the diagnosis of colorectal cancer can be scary, there is hope for those affected. With early detection and proper treatment, the survival rate for colorectal cancer is quite high.

In this article, we will share information about colorectal cancer survival rate and prognosis, in addition to providing relevant information about specific types of colorectal cancer, colorectal cancer diagnosis and staging, and treatment options, to help you understand the various factors that influence survival rate.

Types of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is classified based on the type of cells that make up the tumour. There are several different types of colorectal cancer, including [²]:

Adenocarcinoma: The most common type of colorectal cancer, accounting for over 95% of cases. This type of cancer begins in the glandular cells that line the inner wall of the colon or rectum.
Mucinous Adenocarcinoma: A type of adenocarcinoma that produces large amounts of mucus. This type of cancer is often more difficult to detect because the mucus can obscure the tumour on imaging tests [³].
Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma: A rare and aggressive type of colorectal cancer. The cancer cells appear like signet rings, hence the name.
Adenosquamous Carcinoma: A rare type of colorectal cancer that contains both glandular and squamous cells.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Colorectal cancer that starts in the flat cells that line the inner wall of the colon or rectum is called squamous cell carcinoma (ICD-10 C44.520).

What are the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer are [⁴]:

Changes in Bowel Habits
Blood in the Stool
Abdominal Pain or Cramping
Unexplained Weight Loss
Fatigue

However, it is essential to remember that experiencing one or more symptoms does not necessarily mean having colorectal cancer. Some of these symptoms can be caused by other conditions such as gastrointestinal infections or irritable bowel syndrome. However, if you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they persist or worsen over time, you must consult your healthcare provider to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment. Regular screenings for colorectal cancer are also recommended, especially for individuals at higher risk for the disease.

Colorectal cancer diagnosis and staging

How is colorectal cancer diagnosed?

Colorectal cancer is typically diagnosed through a combination of tests and procedures. The diagnostic process may vary depending on individual circumstances and the specific symptoms being experienced. In general, the following tests and procedures may be used to diagnose colorectal cancer [⁵]:

Physical exam and medical history: The healthcare provider will examine the abdomen for any lumps or masses and ask questions about any symptoms or family history of colorectal cancer.
Colonoscopy: This is a procedure in which a flexible tube with a camera on the end is inserted into the rectum and colon to check for abnormalities, such as polyps or tumours [⁶].
Stool tests: Stool tests may be used to check for blood or abnormal DNA in the stool, which can be signs of colorectal cancer [⁷].
Imaging tests: Imaging tests, such as CT scans, MRI, or PET scans, may be used to check for the presence and extent of cancer and to determine if it has spread to other parts of the body.
Blood tests: Blood tests may be used to check for certain proteins or markers associated with colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer staging

Different staging systems are used for colorectal cancer, but one of the most used systems is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system. The AJCC TNM staging system considers three factors [⁸]:

Tumour (T) stage: This refers to the size and extent of the primary tumour.
Lymph node (N) stage: This refers to whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Metastasis (M) stage: This refers to whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs.

Using these three factors, colorectal cancer can be staged as follows [⁹]:

Stage 0: This refers to cancer that is only in the inner lining of the colon or rectum.
Stage I: This refers to cancer that has grown into the deeper layers of the colon or rectum but has not spread beyond the wall of the organ or to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage II: This refers to cancer that has grown through the wall of the colon or rectum and may involve nearby tissues or organs but has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III: This refers to cancer that has spread to nearby lymph nodes but not to other parts of the body.
Stage IV: This refers to cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (carcinomatosis), such as the liver, lungs, or bones.

Is colorectal cancer hereditary?

Colorectal cancer can be hereditary, meaning certain genetic mutations or inherited conditions can increase a person's risk of developing the disease. However, only 5-10% of colorectal cancers are caused by genetic reasons. Several inherited conditions can increase a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer, including Lynch syndrome, Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP) [¹⁰] [¹¹] [¹²].

In addition to these inherited conditions, certain genetic mutations can also increase a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer. For example, mutations in the APC, KRAS, and TP53 genes have been associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer [¹³].

The colorectal cancer survival rate

The prognosis for colorectal cancer usually considers two separate metrics: survival rate and quality of life (QOL). Doctors and researchers typically define survival rate as the five-year survival rate, which indicates the percentage of patients alive five years after their diagnosis. The survival rate for colorectal cancer is highly dependent on the stage of the disease, including tumour size and extent of metastasis, as well as on the patient's underlying health status.

Colorectal cancers caught at earlier stages (stage 0/in situ, stage 1) have a better outlook. If the cancer has metastasized, treatment is more difficult, but in any case, it is important to maintain hope. It is important to understand that survival statistics represent averages - they should not be taken as prescriptive determinations of your future outcome.

What is the survival rate for colorectal cancer?

The survival rate for colorectal cancer can vary depending on several factors. According to data collected by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, colorectal cancer has an overall survival rate of 65/1%. This means that out of a hundred patients, 65 will survive the first five years after diagnosis.

Colorectal cancer accounts for about 7.9% of all new cancer cases and 8.6% of all cancer deaths. Moreover, there was a 37.7 per 100,000 persons rate of colorectal cancer per year [¹⁴].

The survival rates of colorectal cancer can be further categorized based on the progression of the disease. These survival rates are illustrated in Table 1 [¹⁵].

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What is the survival rate of colorectal cancer based on age?

Accoridng to SEER, Colorectal cancer predominantly affects people aged 65-74. The chances of developing colon cancer are higher in ages above 45, while they are lowest (0.3%) in people less than 20 years old. Similarly, more than 24.5% of colorectal cancer deaths were among people aged 65-74, while the least were in people aged 20-34 (0.7%). The median age at death for colorectal patients was 72.

What is the survival rate of colorectal cancer based on race/ethnicity?

Colorectal cancer affects 43.4% of all races but is predominant in non-hispanic black people and non-Hispanic American Indian people. Colorectal cancer has a death rate of 13.1 per 100,000 persons, with the highest deaths in non-hispanic black people and non-Hispanic American Indian people.

Colorectal cancer incidence (occurring) rates were lowest in Asian people (31.7 out of 100,000 persons). Concurrently, The lowest number of deaths was seen in those of Asian ethnicity (8.9 per 100,000 persons) [¹⁶].

The survival rate of colorectal cancer in women vs. Survival rate of colorectal cancer in men

Colorectal cancer affects both men and women of all ages and ethnicity. However, the disease is predominant in men, affecting 43.4 out of 100,000 men of all races and 32.8 women out of 100,000 of all races. However, colorectal prognosis and survival rate are slightly better in women than in men. The death rate of colorectal cancer per 100,000 persons is 15.7 in men and 11 in women.

One study analyzed how the survival rate of colorectal cancer differed in men vs women in over 164,996 patients of different ages. The study found that younger women had higher survival rates than younger men, but older men had better colorectal cancer survival rates than older women. Moreover, the study found that men had an overall five-year relative survival rate of 61.9%, while women had a five-year relative survival rate of 64.5% [¹⁷].

Colorectal Cancer Treatment Options

While colorectal cancer is a serious condition, it is curable. If detected early on, the colorectal cancer survival rate can increase with appropriate treatment. Some of the most common treatment options for colorectal cancer include the following.

Surgery:

The first-line treatment for colorectal cancer is surgery. Surgery aims to remove the tumour and any surrounding tissues that may be affected. There are two types of surgery for colorectal cancer: laparoscopic surgery and open surgery [¹⁸]. Laparoscopic surgery involves making several small incisions in the abdomen and using a camera and specialized tools to remove the tumour. Open surgery involves making a large incision in the abdomen to remove the tumour.

Chemotherapy:

Chemotherapy kills the cancer cells using strong chemicals. Chemotherapy can be used before or after surgery to reduce the tumour's size or destroy any cancer cells that may be left after surgery. Chemotherapy can also be used to relieve symptoms of advanced colorectal cancer.

Radiation therapy:

Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is usually used in combination with surgery or chemotherapy. It can also be used to relieve symptoms of advanced colorectal cancer.

Targeted therapy:

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that targets specific proteins or genes involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. Targeted therapy can be used in combination with chemotherapy or as a standalone treatment for advanced colorectal cancer.

Immunotherapy:

Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. Immunotherapy can treat advanced colorectal cancer that has spread to other body parts. Immunotherapy drugs can boost the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Clinical Trials for colorectal cancer

While the treatment methods mentioned above are the main modes of treating colorectal cancer, they are not the only ones. Patients can participate in colorectal cancer clinical trials if they do ot respond to or do not prefer the current treatment methods.

Clinical trials aim to develop and assess the efficacy of new treatment methods to improve the survival rate of colorectal cancer. You or your doctor may want to check out Power to see if any clinical trials could benefit you, or you might consider checking out Leal Health. This AI-powered platform helps you be informed of all the potential treatment options available. Both platforms aim to empower patients to participate actively in their healthcare decisions.

Conclusion

Takeaway

While a diagnosis of colorectal cancer can be scary, there is hope for those affected. With early detection and proper treatment, the survival rate for this type of cancer is quite high. It is important to understand that survival rates can vary depending on various factors, including the cancer stage, age, gender, race, treatment, overall health, and genetic factors. If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, working closely with your healthcare team to develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs is important.