Staging
Staging is determined by size of the tumor and whether (or not) the cancer has invaded nearby organs such as the prostate or vagina, or spread to the lymph nodes or through the blood stream or lymph system, to other parts of the body. The stage is an important factor in determining treatment options.
Stage 0
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Description
- Abnormal, but non-invasive cells found only in inner lining of anus.
Treatment
- Surgery (local resection).
Stage I
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Description
- Tumor is 2 cm or smaller in diameter and has not spread to any lymph nodes or other distant organs in the body.
Treatment
- Chemoradiation preferred; surgery (local resection).
Stage IIa
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Description
- Tumor is between 2 cm and 5 cm in diameter and has not spread to any lymph nodes or other distant organs in the body.
Treatment
- Chemoradiation; surgery (abdominoperineal resection), if residual/persistent disease is present after chemoradiation.
Stage IIb
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Description
- Tumor is greater than 5 cm and has not spread to any lymph nodes or other distant organs in the body.
Treatment
- Chemoradiation; abdominoperineal resection if residual/persistent disease is present after chemoradiation.
Stage IIIa
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Description
- Tumor has grown into an adjacent organ or has spread to the nearby lymph nodes around the rectum. Stage IIIa tumors are 5 cm or smaller and involve the lymph nodes.
Treatment
- Chemoradiation; clinical trials, Abdominoperineal resection if residual/persistent disease is not present after chemoradiation.
Stage IIIb
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Description
- Tumors invading other organs without lymph node involvement.
Treatment
- Chemoradiation; clinical trials, Abdominoperineal resection if residual/persistent disease is not present after chemoradiation.
Stage IIIc
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Description
- Tumors greater than 5 cm with lymph node involvement.
Treatment
- Chemoradiation; clinical trials, Abdominoperineal resection if residual/persistent disease is not present after chemoradiation.
Stage IV
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Description
Tumor may be any size that has spread to:
- distant parts of the body.
Treatment
- Chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
