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NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

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stage IV colorectal cancer  listen  (...KOH-loh-REK-tul KAN-ser)

  Stage IV colorectal cancer is divided into stage IVA and stage IVB. In stage IVA, cancer may have spread through the colon and/or rectal wall and may have spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes. Cancer has spread to one organ that is not near the colon and/or rectum, such as the liver, lung, or ovary, or to a distant lymph node. In stage IVB, cancer may have spread through the colon and/or rectal wall and may have spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes. Cancer has spread to more than one organ that is not near the colon and/or rectum or into the lining of the abdominal wall.

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Stage IV colon cancer; shows other parts of the body where colon cancer may spread, including lymph nodes, lung, liver, abdominal wall, and ovary. Inset shows cancer spreading through the blood and lymph nodes to other parts of the body.