American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What is the primary treatment for Stage I and II colon cancer?

1. Surgery

2. Radiation therapy

3. Adjuvant chemotherapy

4. Surgical resection only

The correct answer is: Surgery

The primary treatment for Stage I and II colon cancer is surgery. In these early stages, the cancer is typically localized within the colon, and the most effective treatment method involves complete surgical resection of the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure that all cancerous cells are removed. For Stage I, where the cancer has invaded the inner layer of the colon but has not spread to lymph nodes, the surgical removal of the affected segment is often sufficient for treatment. In Stage II, the cancer may penetrate deeper into the colon wall and could be more extensive, but it has not yet spread to lymph nodes or other distant sites. Surgical intervention remains the cornerstone of treatment, and in many cases, patients may not require further treatment if the cancer is completely removed. Radiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy are generally not the primary treatments for these stages of colon cancer, as their utility tends to be more significant in higher stages or specific clinical scenarios. Surgical resection is emphasized not only as an effective treatment but also as the first and most critical step in the management of localized colon cancer.