Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Slideshow Pictures Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Robert J Fingerote, MD, MSc, BSc

Medical Editor:

Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM

Medical Editor:

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD

Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

View Full Profile

Outlook

Recovery from colon cancer depends on the extent of your disease before your surgery.

• If your tumor is limited to the inner layers of your colon, you can expect to live 5 years or more.
  
  
• If cancer has spread to your lymph nodes adjacent to the colon, the chance of living 5 years is 65%.
  
  
• If the cancer has already spread to other organs, the chance of living 5 years drops to 8%.
  
  
• If the cancer has reached your liver but no other organs, removing part of your liver may prolong your life.