How serious is Stage 4 cancer?

Stage 4 cancer is the most severe form of cancer. Metastatic cancer is another name for stage 4 cancer because the disease has usually spread far in the body, or metastasized.

opa.org.uk - What is the outlook for stage 4 cancer? - The OPA

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In this article, we discuss what stage 4 cancer is, the survival rate for different types of cancer, and what support is available for people with cancer. Stage 4 cancer is the severest form of cancer. It has the highest risk of mortality. However, stage 4 cancer is not always terminal.

What is stage 4 cancer?

Cancer is a group of diseases that cause rapid cell growth. Cancerous cells grow and reproduce uncontrollably in certain parts of the body. As a cancerous tumor grows, the cells can spread to other areas of the body. Doctors typically use a staging system to determine how severe the cancer is. Splitting cancers into stages is one factor that helps doctors determine the best treatment approaches. A range of tests is useful in determining the stage of cancer. They include:

physical exams

medical imaging, such as MRI scans

endoscopy

biopsy

blood tests

Doctors take different factors into account to determine what stage a cancer is at. Common factors include:

how large the primary tumor is and its location in the body

whether the tumor has spread to the lymph nodes

how far cancer has spread to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis Doctors may also consider other factors, such as the cell type, results of biopsies, or the person’s age. Together, this information determines whether cancer is less advanced (stage 1) or very advanced (stage 4), or in between. Stage 4 cancer is the most severe form of cancer. Metastatic cancer is another name for stage 4 cancer because the disease has usually spread far in the body, or metastasized.

Is stage 4 cancer always terminal?

More severe cancers are more likely to be terminal. However, that is never a certainty. For example, the American Cancer Society say the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer that spreads to distant body parts is 27%, or 86% when it only spreads locally. Determining the severity of cancer and its stage is a complex process. Doctors are still learning about all the factors that affect how cancer develops and affects the body. How long can someone live with stage 4 cancer? Doctors usually give a prognosis for cancer in terms of an estimated survival rate over 5 years. These survival rates are a rough guide based on data from thousands of other people with a similar cancer and stage. Survival rates vary depending on the location or type of cancer. Despite how far cancer spreads, doctors will still refer to the type of cancer by where it started. The stage 4 survival rates for some of the most common forms of cancers include the following: Breast Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., with over 1.7 million new cases of female breast cancer in 2017. The American Cancer Society say the estimated 5-year survival rate for breast cancer that spreads to distant body parts is 27%. Lung There are two main types of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. Most cases are non-small cell lung cancer, in which the cancerous cells are larger. According to the American Cancer Society, the average 5-year survival rate for people diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body is 6%. For small cell lung cancer, there is a 3% 5-year survival rate under the same scenario. Colorectal Colorectal cancer affects the colon or rectal areas and is generally treatable in its early stages. There were around 104,610 new cases of colorectal cancer in the U.S. in 2020. The American Cancer Society say the 5-year survival rate for colorectal cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body is 14%. Prostate Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among men in the U.S. It affects the prostate, a small gland in the pelvis. If cancer spreads to distant body parts, the American Cancer Society give the 5-year survival rate as 31%. Stage 4 cancer treatments The treatment for stage 4 cancer will vary depending on the type of cancer and how far it has spread. Some treatments aim to improve the person’s quality of life and control symptoms. Others aim to stop cancer growth. Treatments at this stage might include: chemotherapy, although it can become too risky when cancer spreads far

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radiation therapy, which can shrink tumors and help with symptoms

immunotherapy, which helps the body’s immune system fight the cancer

surgery to remove the cancer

targeted therapy, which aims to slow tumor growth

opa.org.uk - What is the outlook for stage 4 cancer? - The OPA

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