What is the difference between rectal cancer 3a3b3c?

What is the difference between rectal cancer 3a3b3c?

Rectal cancer 3a3b3c generally refers to rectal cancer stage IIIA, stage IIIB and stage IIIC. The differences between these three stages lie in the depth of invasion, number of lymph node metastases, five-year survival rate, etc.

Details are as follows:

1. Depth of invasion

Stage IIIA indicates that cancer cells have invaded the submucosal layer or the muscularis propria; stage IIIB indicates that cancer cells have invaded the submucosal layer, the muscularis propria, and even penetrated the basal layer to the subserosa; stage IIIC indicates that cancer cells have invaded not only the rectum but also other structures or organs.

2. Number of lymph node metastases

Stage IIIA is usually accompanied by 1-3 regional lymph node metastases, and stages IIIB and IIIC may be accompanied by more than 4 regional lymph node metastases.

3. Five-year survival rate

The five-year survival rate for stage IIIA can reach about 83.4%, the five-year survival rate for stage IIIB is about 64.1%, and the five-year survival rate for stage IIIC is only about 44.3%.

In addition to the above differences, there are also differences in treatment methods, chemotherapy cycles and recurrence rates in the three stages. Rectal cancer stage III indicates that it is in the middle and late stages. Once diagnosed, you should actively seek medical treatment and take treatment methods to improve your prognosis.