What Does Duke C1 Stage And T3 Tumor Mean?

Posted on Sat, 19 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 20 Apr 2014 Answered on

Mon, 12 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi i spoke to u before. My dad had hjs surgery to remove tumor. It wAs a t3 tumor. They staged it as dukes c1 and 28 lymph nodes were removed with 10 affected. What is prognosis like ? Is c1 same as a stage 3c!

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (30 hours later)

Brief Answer: Prognosis for Dukes C1&IIIC colon tumor... Detailed Answer: Hi there, I am sorry for the situation your father is in. Duke C1 stage refers to invading the muscular layer with fewer than 4 regional lymph-nodes. According to the new classification system, stage IIIC refers to tumor spreading to muscular and serosa layers with more than 7 lymph-nodes involved (according to your reports 10 lymph-nodes were affected). The only difference between the 2 classifications staging includes the no.of lymph-nodes affected by the tumor. In such cases, the 5-years survival rate is low, between 33 to 70%. However, it will all depend on the success of the intervention and follow up adjuvant therapy as per his doctor's advice. All the best to your father and all of you! Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (7 hours later)

So its surprising he is a c1 right with 10 nodes affected ?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Should have a look at tests results first... Detailed Answer: Hi back, Nowadays, the classification system used for treatment and management is TNM system (IIIC stage). Before giving a final opinion, I should have a look at the tests results and should know the type of classification his doctors has followed for management. Thank you!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (17 minutes later)

But is c1 same as a 3c?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (30 hours later)

Brief Answer: Almost the same,difference on lymph-nodes involved Detailed Answer: Hi back, I have revised my surgical literature again, and, as mentioned earlier, the stage C1 according to Duke's classification and IIIC according to TNM classification are the same. The only difference is regarding lymph-nodes involved. Wish all the best to your father!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar