Metastatic colorectal cancer refers to cancer that spreads to regional or distant parts of the body, such as other organs or lymph nodes.

Colorectal cancer begins in the colon or rectum. This type of cancer is staged from stage 0, which is very early cancer, to stage 4, which is metastatic colorectal cancer.

Though the disease can spread to any other part of the body, colorectal cancer most often spreads to the liver, lung, or peritoneum, according to the National Cancer InstituteTrusted Source.

Approximately 23%Trusted Source of people newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer have distant metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis.

Metastatic colorectal cancer that has spread to distant sites is rarely curable. Once the disease spreads, it can be difficult to control.

However, treatments can help stop or slow the growth of the cancer and manage symptoms.

Continuous developments in colorectal cancer treatments have improved survival ratesTrusted Source in people with the disease.

Colorectal cancer is more likely to cause symptoms in later stages once the cancer has grown or spread.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer include:

Signs and symptoms of metastatic colorectal cancer

Symptoms of metastatic colorectal cancer depend on where the cancer has spread and the size of the metastatic tumor. The symptoms include:

  • jaundice or abdominal swelling, when cancer has spread to the liver
  • shortness of breath, when cancer has spread to the lung
  • bone pain and fractures, when cancer has spread to the bone
  • dizziness, headache, or seizures, when cancer has spread to the brain

Colorectal cancer usually begins as a polyp that develops in the inner lining of your rectum or colon and grows and converts slowly over several years.

Once the cancer develops, it can grow further into the wall of your colon or rectum and go on to invade blood or lymph vessels.

Cancer cells can spread into nearby lymph nodes and also be carried in your blood vessels to other organs or tissues.

The most common places for colorectal cancer to spread are the liver, lung, and peritoneum. However, the disease can also spread to other parts of your body, such as the bones and brain.

Some people have metastatic colorectal cancer at the time of their initial diagnosis. Others find out the disease has spread months or even years after their initial colorectal cancer diagnosis.

The main test for diagnosing colorectal cancer is a colonoscopy, along with biopsy and other cell and tissue studies.

Metastatic colorectal cancer is diagnosed using imaging tests to see if and where the cancer has spread.

A biopsy may be performed on a distant tumor to check if it is a metastatic tumor or a different type of primary cancer.

Imaging tests used to diagnose metastatic colorectal cancer includeTrusted Source:

  • CT scan: A CT scan is used to see if colorectal cancer has spread to the liver, lungs, or other organs, including bone.
  • MRI: A pelvic or abdominal MRI scan may be used to look more precisely for liver metastases in colon cancer or around nearby lymph nodes in rectal cancer.
  • PET scan: A PET scan is often used to check for metastases throughout the body, including the brain. It can also be used for staging and to plan treatment, such as surgery, for metastatic tumors. A combination PET/CT scan may also be used.

Treatment for colorectal cancer depends on several factors, including the extent of the spread and the size and location of the tumors. Your age, overall health, and potential side effects from cancer treatment are also considered.

Your doctor will work with you to determine the best treatment for your specific situation.

Metastatic colorectal cancer is rarely curableTrusted Source. The goal of treatment is usually to prolong your life and relieve or prevent symptoms.

Most of the time, metastatic colorectal cancer treatment is ongoing and aims to control the cancer for as long as possible. Everyone responds to treatment differently, so some may work better for you than others.

Surgery may be performed to relieve or prevent complications, such as blockage of the colon. When there are only a few metastases limited to the lungs or liver, surgery may be used to remove them as well as the primary tumor to try to improve survival.

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies may be used alone or in combination to shrink tumors, relieve symptoms, and prolong survival. A number of targeted therapies have been approvedTrusted Source in recent years for metastatic colorectal cancer. It’s important to note that radiation therapy isn’t used on the colon itself but can be used on the rectum or any areas of metastases for symptom relief.

Your doctor may also prescribe medication to manage pain, nausea, and other side effects of cancer or treatment.

It’s important to understand that metastatic cancer, even if incurable, can sometimes be controlled for months or years.

The development of treatments in recent years has helped people with metastatic colorectal cancer live longer.

The most recent relative 5-year survival rate for distant metastatic colorectal cancer is 16.2%Trusted Source. This means that 16.2% of people with metastatic colorectal cancer are still alive at 5 years after diagnosis.

However, survival rates are only estimates and cannot predict individual outcomes. They do not take many important factors into account, such as a person’s age or other health conditions, certain tumor markers or proteins, or what treatments were used and how individuals responded to treatment.

Your doctor can help put this number into perspective based on your situation.

Finding support is important when you have received a diagnosis of metastatic cancer. Talk with your doctor and loved ones about how you’re feeling and ask for support to help you cope.

Along with turning to friends and family, some people find comfort in cancer support groups.

The American Cancer SocietyTrusted Source can connect you to support services and other resources in your area as well as online support. You can also get referrals for support groups and services through your doctor or cancer center.

Being told you have metastatic colon cancer may make you feel scared and angry, but treatments can help.

These interventions can help you enjoy more time with loved ones, and researchers are continually studying new ways to prevent the growth of metastatic cancer cells.