Colon cancer, or colorectal with involvement of the rectum, stands as an evil condition on a global scale. Knowledge regarding a patient’s likelihood of survival is very important for the case, curators locally and health care at large, as in most cancers.
This blog will discuss colon cancer survival rates, the factors affecting them, which mainly include the stage of the cancer, with respect to types of colon cancer, the age of a patient, the options available for treating the disease, among which mainly include the conventional ways and alternative methods such as Ayurvedic medicine.
Colon Cancer Stages
The colon cancer staging system is commonly referred to as TNM, which stands for the tumor size, N (the nearby lymph node involvement) and M (metastasis) or how the tumor being metastatic.
By the way, Stage 0, very often called carcinoma in situ, is basically the first phase of colon cancer. At this stage, the tumor is limited to the inner lining of the colon and has not gone beyond the mucosa. The 5-year survival rate for stage 0 colon cancer is almost 100%, as the tumor is usually removed entirely through surgery.
Stage 1 colon cancer occurs when the cancer has grown through the mucosa into the submucosa or muscular layers of the colon wall. According to the American Cancer Society’s approximate data, the 5-year survival rate for stage 1I colon cancer is about 92%. Since the cancer can usually be cured by surgery, this can be regarded as a high survival rate.
Stage 1 is returned in all the following cases: 1, 2, 2A, 2B, and 2C. In this case (only), the colon’s external wall has been penetrated, but no lymph nodes nearby have been involved. The 5-year survival rates of stage 2 colon cancer vary from 87% for stage 2A to 53% for stage 2C. Since stage II contains different kinds of tumors, like the depth of the neoplasms and the existence of certain high-risk features, survival rates vary within this stage.
Colon cancer at stage 3 with its characteristic cancer that has spread to the nearest glands. This stage is divided into three subcategories: 3A, 3B, and 3C. Stage 3 colon cancer has 5-year survival rates that chart from 89% for stage 3A to stage 3C at 53%. Advancements in surgical techniques and the use of adjuvant chemotherapy may have improved the prognosis for stage 3 colon cancer significantly in the last years.
Stage 4 colon cancer is the advanced stage and occurs when the cancer continues to go far and wide in the human body, involving other organs such as the liver, lungs, or peritoneum. For instance, the 5-year survival rate on average with colon cancer at stage 4 is about 14%. Note, however, that this is an average and individual results can vary considerably depending on such factors as the extent of metastasis, the patient’s general health, and the effectiveness of treatment.
Colon Cancer Rasayana: Ayurveda Treatment
There have been many modern modalities of treatment for colon cancer; however, conventional approaches of treatments to date remain as the mainstream approach. Currently, considerations have been put into other forms of treatments that run into the terms complementary and alternative treatments. Among these is the Ayurvedic approach. Complementary and conventional treatments go alongside, as one doesn’t derive anything good from completely being ‘conventional’ without any alteration.
Rasayana treatment is yet another branch of treatment under Ayurveda medicine dealing with rejuvenation and longevity through the support of positive body mechanisms in the context of the disease. In the context of colon cancer, Rasayana therapy helps to augment the body’s inherent defense mechanisms, restore normal health, and possibly make other contemporary treatments for cancer more effective.
Some of the major principles and practices of Rasayana Ayurveda treatment in colon cancer include:
Dietary lifestyle modifications
A physician of Ayurveda still will recommend a person include more fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes in the diet. It is considered that these types of food help restore the body’s recovery system by containing essential nutrients and antioxidants.
Herbal supplements
Herbs and herbal formulations are used extensively to strengthen the immune system in Ayurveda and have an inhibitory role on cancer. Some commonly used herbs are: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Triphala (mixture of three fruits).
Panchakarma
Panchakarma in particular is a detoxification and rejuvenation program. The treatment consists of massage, the administration of several types of herbal enemas, and the administration of medicinal oils through the nasal passages to eliminate toxins that have built up in the body and reinstate the balance of the doshas-the underlying philosophical doctrine in Ayurveda.
Yoga and meditation
The practice of these components is encouraged in treatment for stress reduction, improved mental well-being, and increased quality of life for cancer patients.
Lifestyle modifications
An Ayurvedic practitioner may recommend changes in the daily timetable, sleep, and stress management techniques that would help the innate inbuilt system of the body to format well.
Although there are a couple of studies to reveal the potential of certain Ayurvedic treatments in cancer care, the scientific support for Rasayana Ayurveda, which was specifically pointed towards colon cancer, goes against the scientific backing. Whatever may be the Ayurveda treatment, patients should always consult their oncologist and ensure that the complementary therapies are not interfering with conventional cancer treatments.
Survival Rate of Colon Cancer w.r.t type and age
The fact of the matter is that survival rates for colon cancer vary considerably between different types of colon cancer and with regard to the age at which a patient has been diagnosed. Consequently, it is important that patients and health caregivers understand these survival data to choose the best treatment.
Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of colon cancer, accounting for around 95% of all colon cancers. Its prognosis is similar to colon cancer in general. It is determined by the stage at which it is detected, based on the above-mentioned situation.
Mucinous Adenocarcinoma
This type represents 10-15% of cases of colon cancer, and the appearance of mucus is known to be a critical characteristic. Some studies have shown that, indeed, mucinous adenocarcinomas might carry a slightly poorer prognosis than the classic adenocarcinomas, with 5-year survival rates about 2-8% lower at any stage.
Signet-ring-cell carcinoma
This is an extremely rare, aggressive form of colon cancer and accounts for less than 1% of colon cancer cases. It tends to be of poor prognosis, with 5-year survival rates approximately 10-20% lower than those for typical adenocarcinomas that are at stages that are comparable.
Neuroendocrine Tumors
These rare tumors develop from hormone-producing cells in the colon. Their prognosis can vary from subtype to grade. Exceptional grade tumors get done quickly from 60% to 100% with the help of proper diagnosis while poorly educated students lead a more aggressive treatment. They have a 5-year survival rate between 20% and 40%.
Age and Colon Cancer Survival:
In general, age is an important determinant of survival from colon cancer, with better outcomes seen in those younger compared to the older age group. Contributing factors to this disparity include the general health status of a person, the ability to tolerate appropriate aggressive treatments, and the presence of other comorbidities.
By rates available from the SEER database, which stands for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, the 5-year relative survival rates for colon cancer by age are as follows:
– Below 50 years: 71.3%
– 50-64 years: 67.1%
– 65 years and older: 62.6%
The silver lining about these statistics is that they pertain to the overall stage across the spectrum of all the stages of colon cancer. When the data has been broken into different stages, the impact of age on data is more apparent:
Stage I and part of Stage II colon cancer
– Below 50 years: 94.1%
– 50-64 years: 90.9%
– 65 years and older :85.9%
For regional colon cancer, including some cases of Stages II and III:
- Under 50 years: 78.8%
- 50-64 years: 73.1%
- 65 years and older: 69.3%
For distant colon cancer, that is, Stage IV
- Under 50 years: 22.3%
- 50-64 years: 16.1%
- 65 years and older: 11.2%
These statistics show the very real underlying need for good early detection, for it is in the older populations that the most life could be saved, which would.
Note, however, that survival rates are always statistical, calculated for the whole population; they do not predict an individual’s experience. There are many factors that come into play with a person’s prognosis, including overall state of health and how well the body can respond to treatment.
In conclusion
Knowledge of colon cancer survival rates by type, stage, and age can be used for effective counseling for the patient and further management by the healthcare provider. Conventional therapy forms the bedrock of colon cancer management at present. The approach of complementary medicine, such as Ayurvedic Rasayana therapy, can bring forth support to selected patients. As research progresses and treatment modalities develop, we can hope for continued improvements in colon cancer survival rates across all demographics.