When the tumor is in the upper rectum, a wide margin of tissue may be removed and the bowel reconnected (anastomosis).
When the tumor is near the anus, an abdominal perineal resection and colostomy is the standard treatment. Local transanal resection can be done in selected patients.
Radiation inside the bowel (intraluminal) may be used in selected patients. This technique requires special equipment and experience, but the results are equivalent to surgery and can preserve the sphincter muscle.
There is a 5 to 10 percent chance of a local recurrence with this stage of cancer.
Five-Year Survival 85 to 95 percent (95 percent for Dukes' A, 85 to 90 percent for Dukes' B1).
Investigational Results from clinical trials of radiation therapy and electrocoagulation are promising.
Stage II ( See Stage II Colon Diagram ) (Dukes' B2, B3)
TNM T34 N0, M0
The cancer has penetrated all layers of the bowel wall with or without extension to adjacent tissues (uterus, ovaries or prostate), but has not spread to lymph nodes . Dukes' B2 extends through the bowel wall: B3 involves adjacent structures such as the uterus , ovaries, bladder or prostate.
