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stage II colorectal cancer

(...KOH-loh-REK-tul KAN-ser)
Stage II colorectal cancer is divided into stages IIA, IIB, and IIC. In stage IIA, cancer has spread through the muscle layer of the colon and/or rectum wall to the serosa (outermost layer) of the colon and/or rectum wall. In stage IIB, cancer has spread through the serosa of the colon and/or rectum wall to the tissue that lines the organs in the abdomen (visceral peritoneum). In stage IIC, cancer has spread through the serosa of the colon and/or rectum wall to nearby organs.
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Stage II colorectal cancer; drawing shows a cross-section of the colon/rectum and a three-panel inset. Each panel shows the layers of the colon/rectum wall: the mucosa, submucosa, muscle layers, and serosa. Also shown are a blood vessel and lymph nodes. The first panel shows stage IIA with cancer in the mucosa, submucosa, muscle layers, and serosa. The second panel shows stage IIB with cancer in all layers and spreading through the serosa to the visceral peritoneum. The third panel shows stage IIC with cancer in all layers and spreading through the serosa to nearby organs.Enlarge this image in new window
Stage II colorectal cancer. In stage IIA, cancer has spread through the muscle layer of the colon/rectum wall to the serosa. In stage IIB, cancer has spread through the serosa of the colon/rectum wall to the visceral peritoneum (tissue that lines the organs in the abdomen). In stage IIC, cancer has spread through the serosa of the colon/rectum wall to nearby organs.
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