Your father’s prognosis depends on the type of cancer he has as well as the staging of the cancer. Colon cancer is stratified from Stage 0 to Stage IV. Stage 0 cancer is the earliest detectible form of cancer and it is limited to the most inner layer of the colon. Stage IV cancer is the most advanced stage of cancer as the cancerous cells have spread to lymph nodes and at least one distant organ (Liver, Lungs, Bones, Brain, etc.).
Treatment of cancer depends on the stage. For early stage cancer, surgery is often offered and the goal of treatment is to cure the diease and elminate the cancer cells. For late stage cancer, the goals shift from curative to palliative as the disease cannot be cured. For late stage cancer patients, chemotherapy and/or surgery are offered to reduce pain/suffering and extend the life of the patient.
The doctors, nurses, and staff should be able to offer you an accurate assessment of your father’s condition and provide you with the goals for treatment and prognosis of your father. If your father does have end-stage cancer, they should also be able to offer you advice regarding comfort care, end of life planning, etc.