Colorectal Cancer

[spage32]

My 56yr old father was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer approximately June of 2003. Approximately 22 months prior to that he had a colonoscopy that showed no problems. I want to know if someone can give me a general time line for which this cancer grows. I have been told by some that stage colon cancer been in the body for over 5-10 years before they are considered stage 3. Is this generally true? I'm aware of the fact that no 2 cancers are the same, but is there a general rule of thumb when dealing with stage timelines?

Thank you!