The digestive track is approximately 28 feet long, and the final five feet make up the colon. All are shown in the diagram below.
Cancers can be benign polyps, which are removed during outpatient surgical procedures.
These noncancerous growths can become malignant. If not removed, benign tumors can grow, and spread to tissue beyond the colon. Colon cancer, when diagnosed, is classified according to the stage it is at. Most oncologists use the Dukes' classification system. Stages 0 through IV are used, based on size of tumor, growth beyond the colon, and invasion of the lymphatic system.