A long time: Colon cancer is unusual in that it follows the "polyp-to-cancer" sequence. Colon cancer does NOT develop with a single genetic mistake from normal to full blown cancer like many others (breast, prostate). read more
Colon cancer patients diagnosed at Stage III have a 5-year survival rate of 67%. 6 Stage IV: At this last stage of the disease, the cancer may or may not have grown through the wall of the colon, and may have spread to any number of nearby lymph nodes. read more