Stage 4 colon cancer is the most advanced stage and typically has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. The 5-year survival rate for stage 4 colon cancer is less than 15%, according to the American Cancer Society.
Your doctor will use a series of tests to determine the exact stage of your cancer and the best treatment options for you. Your healthcare team may include a surgeon, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist. They also might include palliative care specialists who can help you cope with your symptoms.
The best way to prevent stage 4 colon cancer is to get regular screenings and remove precancerous polyps before they develop into cancer. Early cancers are easier to treat and have a better overall prognosis.
Symptoms of stage 4 colon cancer vary depending on where the cancer has spread, but common ones include constipation and diarrhea. In addition, a person may experience other symptoms such as abdominal pain and shortness of breath.
If you have stage 4 colon cancer, your doctor will likely run several tests to determine the extent of the tumor and its location. They might also grade the tumor and assess its growth patterns. This helps them determine how aggressive the cancer is and whether it will respond well to treatment.
Some of the most important steps in a treatment plan for stage 4 colon cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Your doctor will recommend the right combination of these treatments for your unique circumstances, including how much of the colon is involved and whether you have any other health conditions.
You’ll also be treated with targeted therapy, which targets specific molecules in your cancer cells and disables them. Targeted therapy can be given as a pill or an injection into a vein.
Another important step is chemotherapy, which can be used either before or after surgery. This treatment can be very effective when combined with surgery, and it usually reduces the amount of cancer in your body.
The goal of chemotherapy is to kill off the cancer cells and stop them from growing. It can also relieve symptoms by reducing nausea, vomiting, weight loss and hair loss.
Your doctor will decide what type of chemotherapy to use and how much it should be given. The goal is to make you as comfortable as possible, while delivering the most benefits from your treatment.
Anti-angiogenesis therapies are used to help reduce the number of blood vessels in your cancer. These small blood vessels are critical for tumor growth and spreading, so reducing them will help shrink the tumor.
These drugs are often given in conjunction with a colonoscopy or a surgical procedure called a partial colectomy. These surgeries remove part of the lining of the colon, along with nearby lymph nodes.
A complete colonoscopy will also show if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. If the cancer has spread to other organs, it will be treated with more invasive treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy.
