Cancer stages indicate how far the disease has progressed and can give doctors a better understanding of how it might respond to treatment. They also can help predict survival rates, which describe how many people with the same type and stage of cancer live for a certain amount of time after they are diagnosed. Cancer is a complex disease that affects different parts of the body in unique ways, so life expectancy and prognosis will differ between individuals.
When cancer reaches stage 4, it means it has spread to other parts of the body from its original location. This is referred to as metastasis and can be in places like the brain, bones, or liver. Cancer that spreads to the lungs is called metastatic lung cancer, as the lungs are the most common place for it to travel. When the cancer reaches this stage, it will not be cured and only treated to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Most types of cancer that reach this stage can’t be cured, and the treatments are not intended to cure it either. The cancer may be kept under control, however, through a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and other treatment options. The type of treatment that is most effective will depend on the particular type and where it has spread, as well as a person’s overall health.
Some people with stage 4 cancer choose to avoid the information that is available about their survival rate. This can be understandable, as the numbers can be confusing and frightening. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure how much to focus on these statistics, and let him know if you would prefer to not hear any of them at all.
When considering treatment options, it is important to discuss what your goals for recovery are. For example, are you hoping to get back to work? Are you interested in extending your family’s lives? Keeping a positive attitude and having a clear idea of your goals can help you determine the right course for your care.
There are a number of different treatment options for stage 4 cancer, and the exact type will depend on the type of cancer and how it has spread. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for this stage and might be combined with other therapies, such as radiation or immunotherapy.
Some patients with stage 4 cancer have been able to go into remission, but this is rare. It will depend on the type of cancer, how it has spread, whether certain gene mutations feed the tumors, and a person’s overall health.
If the cancer has not spread to other organs, surgery might be used to remove any tumors that are causing pain or interfering with normal body functions. In some cases, the cancer might be able to be removed completely. Other times, surgery may be used to reduce the size of a tumor in order to ease pain and pressure on other organs.
