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Stage 4 Cancer: What to Expect and How Long You Can Live
By Raveena M Prakash
Stage 4 cancer is also known as metastatic cancer. Many patients experience fear, a sense of uncertainty, and even finality of lives once they recognize they are at an advanced stage of cancer. However, here's the truth: with the advances in medicine and personalized cancer treatment, this is not the end of your world, but it's the beginning of a new journey. The recent advances in medical science, effective treatments and care, and a little bit of miracle can help to extend the life expectancy of patients. If you are diagnosed with this stage of cancer and want to know more about stage 4 cancer symptoms and its treatments, then read further!
In this article, we’ll discover why this stage is called terminal and how long someone can live with this stage of cancer and much more!
What is stage 4 cancer?
Stage 4 cancer, also known as metastatic cancer. This is an advanced stage of cancer. It usually means that the cancer has grown or spread beyond its original location to distant body parts and organs in the body. People diagnosed with this stage of cancer often need extra care; patients might live several years after getting proper treatments.
However, the treatment options for this stage of cancer might be based on the specific type of cancer and its location, age, gender, and overall health conditions. These differences often affect the survival rates.
The main goals of this type of cancer treatment include
- Slows down and stops the new growth of cancer cells
- Reduce or relieve the extreme symptoms of cancer
- Lower the health complications
- Improves the quality of life
- Extends the life expectancy of patients
Common symptoms of cancer by metastasis location
Here are some of the common symptoms, including:
Bone metastasis:
- Continuous and severe bone pain
- Increased risk of bone breakages
- chances of minor injuries
- Swelling around the affected area
Brain metastasis:
- Severe head aches
- Changes in vision or speech
- Dizziness
- Memory loss
- Confusion
Lung metastasis:
- Shortness of breath
- Continuous cough
- Blood in the cough
- Chronic chest pain
Liver metastasis:
- Change of skin color
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
- Dark color urine or stool (poops)
Common symptoms:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Immediate weight loss
- Fever and night sweats
Diagnosis
An oncologist usually uses a staging system to assess the severity of your cancer. It helps to determine the best options for treatments. Several tests are performed to determine the stage of suspected cancer patients.
These may include:
- Physical examinations
- Computed tomography (CT) scans
- Medical imaging such as MRI Scans
- Endoscopy
- Biopsy
- Blood tests
Treatments
The treatment option for patients with advanced stages of cancer mainly depends on the type of cancer. Generally, one of the major goals of stage 4 cancer treatments includes stopping or slowing down the cancer spread, managing the symptoms of cancer, reducing any health complications, and improving the overall quality of patients’ lives.
Here are some of the effective cancer treatments:
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is an effective cancer treatment used for the advanced stage of cancer. Chemo drugs and their doses are adjusted according to the risks, side effects, and overall individual health preferences.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy is also used in combination with treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy and might help to relieve advanced stages of cancer and prevent further spread to other body parts.
- Immunotherapy: This is another effective cancer treatment used to improve the immune system of the patient to fight against advanced stages of cancer. There are different types of immunotherapy treatments that are used to improve the success rates for different types of advanced cancers.
- Cancer surgery: Surgeries are not usually used for the advanced stage of cancer unless the cancer sites are small. Oncologists help to reduce the symptoms of advanced cancer and prevent the spread of cancers.
- Targeted therapy: This is another effective cancer treatment used for this stage of cancer. This treatment is also known as precision medicine, which helps to target certain types of proteins that cause the growth of cancer.
- Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy is also used in the treatments of advanced stages of cancer that rely on hormones that cause the spread of cancer, for example, breast and prostate cancer.
Is stage 4 cancer terminal?
Advanced cancers are not always terminal. It usually requires more aggressive treatment options for the cure of cancer. Terminal cancer often refers to some specified cancer types that are not curable and eventually lead to the death of the patients. Some oncologists might call it end-stage cancer.
If your medical team suggests that your cancer is terminal, then it means the cancer is in aggressive and advanced stages, and treatment options are mostly aimed at control rather than curing the cancer.
How long can someone live with stage 4 cancer?
Predicting the life expectancy of an advanced-stage patient is often considered difficult. There are some factors that influence the life expectancy of an advanced-stage cancer patient. These may include type of cancer, location of cancer, and individual health conditions. Additionally, with the recent advances in medical science, effective treatments, medicine, and care also influence the patient’s life expectancy.
Sometimes a little bit of miracle and strong willpower of patients challenges medical science. This helps to improve the quality of life and extends the life expectancy of many advanced-stage patients.
Consult Today
Stage 4 cancer is an advanced cancer where the cancer has spread from its original location to distant organs of the body; this process is called metastasis. The cure for advanced cancer is not always possible, while treatments can improve the quality of life and extend the life expectancy of patients. However, each patient's journey is different, and everything is influenced by several factors and the promising potential of cancer treatments.
At Oncare, we provide high-quality treatments, palliative care, and support units for our advanced cancer patients at affordable price ranges with experienced cancer specialists' consultation.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our experienced cancer specialists today! Get an estimated cost of cancer treatments today!
Frequently Asked Questions
The treatment options for stage 4 cancer,
These may include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Surgery
- Palliative care or supportive care
A patient with stage 4 cancer might vary significantly depending on the type of cancer, age and gender, overall patient health, and effective treatment plans. Some patients might live longer for years, while others might not live as much as people expect with treatments.
Stage 4 cancer is an advanced stage of cancer, but not always terminal. It often indicates that the cancer has spread beyond the original growth of the cancer location. However, treatment can still significantly extend the life expectancy and help to improve the overall quality of life of stage 4 cancer patients.
Here are some of the common symptoms of stage 4 cancer in people.
These may include:
- Pain
- Discomfort
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Insomnia or sleeplessness
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches,
- Dizziness
- Skin changes, dry skin
- Jaundice