Stage 3 cancer can be particularly difficult to treat, and patients may need more extensive tests. Cancer treatment options are also far less effective than those for stage 1 or stage 2.
The cancer at stage three is classified according to its size. A tumor at this stage can measure more than eight centimeters in diameter or cover six square centimeters. If it has spread to nearby lymph nodes, it is called TNM 3c. It is not treatable in the chest or axillary region, but the tumor may be in the neck or collarbone. A tumor can spread to other parts of the body, if it has spread to lymph nodes.
The survival rate for cancer at stage three is still low, but it is better than the odds of dying from it. Overall survival rates for people with stage three cancer have increased significantly over the last decade. These numbers are based on a combination of factors including overall health, age, stage, type of cancer, and treatments. While a cancer diagnosis can change a person’s life forever, thanks to new discoveries in medicine, the five-year survival rate for people with stage three cancer has improved.
The first line of defense against a tumor at stage three is surgery. The surgeon may use an open incision to remove the tumor, or a tiny incision using a flexible tube and a camera. The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the cancer as possible. In addition to surgery, stage 3C cancers may require other treatments, including chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Cancer patients may also wish to engage in a support group. Samantha B., a caregiver for her father David, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014. Her father underwent treatments at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America and is currently living with stage three prostate cancer.
In addition to peritoneal mesothelioma, the second-most common type of the disease is peritoneal mesothelial cancer. To grade tumors in the abdominal area, physicians use the existing Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI). If the PCI score is between 21 and 30, the tumor has reached stage 3 and is in the abdominal lymph nodes. Stage three peritoneal mesothelioma does not define testicular mesothelioma.
While the symptoms of cancer stage three are similar to those of stage 1, the symptoms and treatments will vary. Treatment will vary depending on the type of cancer and its location. Symptoms include swelling and pain, but they are all different. While undergoing chemotherapy, the patient can expect a longer survival time than those of stage one. By determining what cancer stage it is, patients can begin the road to recovery as soon as possible. The next step is to discuss treatment options with their doctors.
