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stage IIIC colorectal cancer

(... KOH-loh-REK-tul KAN-ser)
Stage III colorectal cancer is divided into stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC. In stage IIIC, cancer has spread (1) through the serosa (outermost layer) of the colon and/or rectum wall to the tissue that lines the organs in the abdomen (visceral peritoneum). Cancer has spread to 4 to 6 nearby lymph nodes; or (2) through the muscle layer of the colon and/or rectum wall to the serosa of the colon and/or rectum wall or has spread through the serosa to the visceral peritoneum. Cancer has spread to seven or more nearby lymph nodes; or (3) through the serosa of the colon and/or rectum wall to nearby organs. Cancer has spread to one or more nearby lymph nodes or cancer cells have formed in tissue near the lymph nodes.
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Stage IIIC 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 cancer in all layers, in 4 lymph nodes, and in the visceral peritoneum. The second panel shows cancer in all layers and in 7 lymph nodes. The third panel shows cancer in all layers, in 2 lymph nodes, and spreading to nearby organs.Enlarge this image in new window
Stage IIIC colorectal cancer. Cancer has spread through the serosa of the colon/rectum wall to the visceral peritoneum (tissue that lines the organs in the abdomen). Cancer has spread to four to six nearby lymph nodes; OR cancer has spread through the muscle layer of the colon/rectum wall to the serosa or has spread through the serosa to the visceral peritoneum. Cancer has spread to seven or more nearby lymph nodes; OR cancer has spread through the serosa of the colon/rectal wall to nearby organs. Cancer has spread to one or more nearby lymph nodes or to tissue near the lymph nodes.
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