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Colon cancer: non-metastatic and metastatic

Colon cancer is very treatable, especially when found early, and many people return to the routines and people they love after treatment.

ℹ️ General information to help you and your loved ones talk with your care team, not medical advice. Read our disclaimer.

The quick guide

What it means: Cancer that starts in the colon. NCCN splits treatment into non-metastatic (stages 0 to III) and metastatic (stage IV). Tumors on the right and left side of the colon can behave differently.

How it's found: Colonoscopy and biopsy, CT scans, a CEA blood test, and tumor testing for MMR/MSI. Advanced tumors are tested for KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and HER2.

How common it is: Colon cancer makes up about 7 in 10 colorectal cancers.

How treatment works

🌱 Early-stage

Stage 0–I: surgery alone (sometimes removal during colonoscopy).
Stage II: surgery; chemo for some higher-risk cases.
Stage III: surgery, then chemo such as FOLFOX or CAPOX (often 3 to 6 months).
dMMR/MSI-H tumors may get immunotherapy; see the MSI-H page.

🔁 Advanced or metastatic

Chemo (FOLFOX, FOLFIRI) with a targeted drug: Avastin, or an EGFR antibody for KRAS/NRAS/BRAF-normal left-sided tumors.
Immunotherapy for dMMR/MSI-H, BRAF and HER2 targeted options, and KRAS G12C drugs.
Surgery or other local treatments for some liver or lung spots.

Approvals depend on stage and prior treatment. Your care team will decide what fits you.

Drug guides

Biomarker tests that matter

Side effects you may notice

❓ Questions you and your loved ones can ask

What stage is my cancer and is it MMR-deficient?
Will I need chemo after surgery, and for how long?
Can spots in my liver be removed?

Back to Colorectal cancer overview. Other types: Rectal cancer: early, locally advanced and metastatic, MSI-high / dMMR colorectal cancer, HER2-positive (HER2-amplified) colorectal cancer, KRAS G12C colorectal cancer (RAS-mutant), RAS wild-type colorectal cancer (KRAS/NRAS normal), BRAF V600E colorectal cancer.

Written by the Cancer Side Effects Guide team from FDA labels and leading cancer centers. Not medical advice. · Last updated: October 15, 2026 · How we write

Not medical advice. This page is general information to help you talk with your care team. It can't replace advice from your doctor or nurse. If you have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher during treatment, or any symptom that worries you, call your care team now. In an emergency, call 911.