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Stage 3 Cancer Treatment: Options, Procedures, and Recovery
By Raveena M Prakash
Being diagnosed with stage 3 cancer can be triggering and overwhelming, not just for the patients but also for the families. At this stage, the cancer has spread beyond the original tumor site to nearby lymph nodes or tissues, but it has not yet metastasized to distant organs. While the diagnosis is considered quite serious, the treatment options have come a long way, and many patients have successfully managed or overcome this stage with timely cancer treatments and support care.
In this blog, we’ll break down more about stage 3 cancer and its treatment options, what to expect during the treatments and its recovery process!
Understanding Stage 3 Cancer Treatment
A stage 3 of cancer typically indicates:
- A larger tumor and its size
- Invasion into the nearby tissues or structures
- Spread to nearby lymph nodes
- No evidence of distant metastasis
Note: It's important to note that stage 3 of cancer can vary based on the cancer type. For example, stage 3 breast cancer may have different characteristics than stage 3 lung or colon cancer patients. That’s why treatment plans are designed according to the specific cancer diagnosis.
Treatment options for Stage 3 Cancer
Cancer treatments for stage 3 involve a multimodal treatment approach, which includes a combination of treatments. These are often designed to treat the tumor, prevent the cancer spread, and improve the survival rates.
Here are some of common treatments options for stage 3, including:
Surgery
If the patient is diagnosed with stage 3 and the tumor is operable, then a surgical procedure is often used as the first line of treatment. One of the main goals is to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Sometimes surgery also removes the affected lymph node and surrounding tissues as well.
Here are some of the surgical procedures, including:
- Mastectomy : These surgeries are used for breast cancer
- Colectomy : These surgeries are used for the treatment for colon cancer
- Lobectomy : These surgeries are used for the treatment for lung cancer
Chemotherapy
These treatments are often used to destroy rapidly growing cancer cells. While it can be administered as:
- Neoadjuvant therapy: In this procedure, chemotherapy is given before the surgery to shrink cancer cells.
- Adjuvant therapy: In this procedure, chemotherapy is given after surgery to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is also used in cases where the surgery is not possible.
Radiation therapy
These treatments use high beams of radiation therapy to target and destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy is often used with treatments like surgery and chemotherapy, especially when these tumors are close to any vital organs.
Targeted therapy
These treatments help to zero in on some specific genes or proteins which are involved in the cancer growths. Performing these treatments helps to reduce the side effects of treatments like chemotherapy.
Example: HER2 -targeted therapy are often used for stage 3 HER2 Positive breast cancer treatments.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is often used for stage 3 patients to help to improve your immune system to recognise and identify, and attack cancer cells. This is more commonly used in the treatment of cancers such as melanoma, lung and bladder cancer.
What to expect during treatments
Each type of treatment has its own procedures and potential side effects.
Here’s what you need to know, including:
Surgery
Procedure: These treatments are performed under anesthesia by a registered oncological surgeon.
Side effects: These often depend on the extent of surgical procedures, and it might require a hospital stay and rehabilitation.
Chemotherapy
Procedure: Some of these drugs are often delivered through an IV, injection or oral pills.
Side effects: Some of these side effects may include fatigue, nausea, hair loss and lowered immunity
Radiation therapy
Procedure: These procedures are often given daily over a few consecutive weeks.
Side effects: Some patients might experience skin irritation, fatigue and pain.
Targeted therapy/ Immunotherapy
Procedure: Both of these procedures are given through infusion or pills.
Side effects: Some of these procedures cause mild side effects such as fatigue, fever, rashes or immune-related reactions.
Recovery and Life after cancer treatments
Recovery from stage 3 and its treatment side effects often include addressing a wide range of recovery from its own physical, emotional and psychological effects. It varies widely depending on the cancer type, treatments used, and an overall health of a patient.
The physical recovery involves,
- Side effects might works for few months or weeks
- Regular screening tests and blood tests are needed
- Rehabilitation might needed, especially after surgery
Emotional and mental health recovery may involves:
- Anxiety, depression or fear of recurrence is common in patients
- Counseling and support groups can be quite helpful
- Mindfulness and spiritual practices helps to offer peace
Lifestyle adjustments
- Nutrition and exercise play a key role in the recovery process
- Quitting smoking and reducing the consumption of alcohol manage to improve the treatment outcomes
- Staying engaged with the healthcare team helps to ensure the long term monitoring of treatment outcomes.
Outlook and Hope for Stage 3 Cancer
People diagnosed with stage 3 of cancer often live a long, fulfilling life after their specific cancer treatments. Advances in treatment options, early medical intervention, and effective personalized cancer treatments have significantly improved the survival rates of stage 3.
Consult Today
While stage 3 cancer is advanced, it's not the end of your life. The treatment journey seems to be challenging, but with the right medical team, personalized treatments, and support and care, there is a path forward.
At Oncare, we offer premium-quality cancer treatments, including advanced cancer surgeries at an affordable price range with an experienced cancer specialist consultation.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our experienced cancer specialist today! Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatment today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the cancer treatments used in the stage 3, including:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
Here are some of the diagnostic methods used to confirm the stage 3, including:
- Imaging tests
- Biopsy
- Endoscopy
- Blood tests
Here are some of the factors that affects the prognosis of stage 3 cancer, including:
- Cancer type
- Tumor size
- Tumor grade
- Lymph node involvement
- Genetic markers
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