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Questions About Cancer? 1-800-4-CANCER

NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

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

  Stage II colorectal cancer is divided into stage IIA, stage IIB, and stage IIC. In stage IIA, cancer has spread through the muscle layer of the colon and/or rectal wall to the serosa (outermost layer) of the colon and/or rectal wall. In stage IIB, cancer has spread through the serosa of the colon and/or rectal wall but has not spread to nearby organs. In stage IIC, cancer has spread through the serosa of the colon and/or rectal wall to nearby organs. Also called Dukes B colorectal cancer.

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Stage II colorectal cancer; shows a cross-section of the colon/rectum and a three-panel inset. Each panel shows the layers of the colon/rectum wall: mucosa, submucosa, muscle layers, and serosa. Also shown are a blood vessel and lymph nodes. First panel shows stage IIA with cancer in the mucosa, submucosa, muscle layers, and serosa. Second panel shows stage IIB with cancer in all layers and spreading through the serosa. Third panel shows stage IIC with cancer spreading to nearby organs.