Early-Stage Colon Cancer

This chapter provides answers to practice-based questions covering the new principles of diagnosis, classification, staging, treatment, and outcomes in the rapidly advancing field of early-stage colon cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death after lung cancer. Age-standardized incidence of colorectal cancer is reportedly the highest across high-human development index regions such as Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North America and Eastern Asia, and lowest in Africa and South-Central Asia. The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is estimated to be 4.3% for men and 4.0% for women. The overall incidence and death rates for colorectal cancer have been decreasing over the past 20 years in the United States, a decline largely attributable to screening measures.