08-05-2025
Stage 2 Colon Cancer: Symptoms, Treatment, and Outlook
Stage 2 colon cancer means that the cancer has spread to the outer walls of the colon but hasn't yet spread to the lymph nodes or other organs in the body.
Colon cancer may sometimes start as polyps growing on the walls of the colon. These polyps aren't always malign, or cancerous, but they can carry certain cells that may turn into cancer without treatment.
With stage 2 colon cancer, the cancer has spread to the outer walls of the colon but not to the lymph nodes or other organs in the body.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States. It's the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women.
Colon cancer-related deaths in the United States have been decreasing in older adults for the past several decades. This could be due to colon cancer screening becoming more common.
With regular screening, doctors can identify polyps and remove them before they turn into cancer, or they can detect cancer when it's still in its early stages and is more easily treatable.
However, from 2012 to 2021, people ages 50 years and younger saw a 2.4% increase in new diagnoses of colorectal cancer every year. That's also according to the ACS.
Read on to learn more about stage 2 colon cancer, including its symptoms and treatment.
What is stage 2 colon cancer?
Colon cancer can be split into five different stages, from stage 0 to stage 4, depending on the presentation and severity of the condition.
Stage 0 is the earliest stage, where the cancer cells haven't spread to nearby sites. Stage 1 usually means that the cancer has spread to the innermost layers of the colon but hasn't spread further to the lymph nodes or any other organs in the body, like the lungs.
Stage 2 means that the cancer has spread to the outer walls of the colon but hasn't spread to the lymph nodes or other organs in the body.
Stage 2 colon cancer isn't as advanced as stage 3 or stage 4, where the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and nearby or distant organs.
Causes of colon cancer
There is no specific cause of colon cancer.
That said, gene mutations can cause a small portion of cases. Gene mutations that make someone more likely to develop cancer make up around 10% of colon cancer cases.
Most cases of colon cancer aren't due to gene mutations, and some people with certain mutations may never develop cancer.
There are also certain risk factors that can increase the lifetime risk of developing this condition. These include:
having overweight or obesity
having type 2 diabetes
not getting enough exercise
having a diet that consists largely of red meats and processed foods
smoking
drinking alcohol
being over age 50 years
being Black
being male
having had your gallbladder removed
having a personal history of colorectal polyps
having inflammatory bowel disease
undergoing radiation to the abdomen or pelvic area
Having one or more of these risk factors doesn't mean you'll ever have cancer. These factors can increase your risk of developing colon cancer throughout your lifetime, but they don't actually cause cancer.
What are the symptoms of stage 2 colon cancer?
At this stage of the condition, you might not experience or display any obvious symptoms of colon cancer.
If you do have symptoms, some may appear similar to those of other, less harmful conditions, such as diarrhea, constipation, or even inflammatory bowel disease. You may discover that these symptoms persist without any known cause.
Some of the symptoms you may experience if you have colon cancer include:
blood (either bright red or very dark) in your stool
a change in your bowel habits
diarrhea
constipation
feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely
stools that are narrower or have a different shape than usual
bloating
cramps or fullness
weight loss for no known reason
fatigue
vomiting
iron deficiency anemia (from blood loss)
What is the treatment for stage 2 colon cancer?
Treatment for stage 2 colon cancer will depend on your specific condition and the presentation of the tumor.
Surgery is the main treatment for stage 2 colon cancer. Depending on the subtype of colon cancer you have, where it's currently located, its potential to spread, and your other health factors, your clinical team may suggest getting other treatments before surgery, after surgery, or both.
Options may include:
chemotherapy
radiation therapy
targeted therapy
immunotherapy
Treatment for colon cancer may cause certain side effects, including:
anemia
bleeding and bruising
bowel obstruction
constipation
diarrhea
swelling (edema)
fatigue
fertility issues
flu-like symptoms
hair loss
infection
memory or concentration problems
nausea and vomiting
pain
sexual health difficulties
skin and nail changes
sleep difficulties
weight changes
Symptoms vary, and they depend on the specific treatment pathway you follow. Not everyone will have the same symptoms or have all the symptoms listed above.
Your clinical team can help you manage your symptoms with medications or behavioral strategies.
Prevention
There's no way to prevent colon cancer, as the cause is still unknown.
That said, reducing any risk factors related to your lifestyle may be beneficial, and attending regular screening if your risk is high can ensure early detection of the cancer. This can make it easier to manage and treat.
Screening for colon cancer involves different methods and procedures, including:
A colonoscopy is usually necessary to accurately diagnose colon cancer once a doctor has identified it.
Outlook
The 5-year relative survival rate for localized colon cancer is 91%. With treatment, the outlook for stage 2 colon cancer is positive, as it hasn't yet spread to any nearby structures, lymph nodes, or organs, and it's still confined to the colon.
This has been the 5-year relative survival rate over the past few years, but as experts are testing new treatments for colon cancer in clinical trials, survival rates might improve over time.
Takeaway
Stage 2 colon cancer usually means that the cancer hasn't spread outside the colon to the lymph nodes or other organs. Many treatment pathways are available for colon cancer, and the survival rate when the cancer is still localized is high.
At this stage, you might not have any noticeable symptoms, or you might just be starting to experience them. They can involve bleeding, unusual changes to your bowel movements, or more constipation and diarrhea.
