However, it is important to note that these figures do not reflect recent advances in treatment. Colorectal cancer affects the colon or rectal areas and is generally treatable in its early stages. Around , new cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed in the U.
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among men in the U. The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis. The treatment plan for stage 4 cancer depends on the type and how far it has spread. Treatments at this stage might include :. Stage 4 is the most severe stage of cancer. Metastatic cancer is another name for this stage.
It conveys that the cancer has metastasized — spread to distant areas of the body. Cancer is a group of diseases that cause rapid cell growth. Cancerous cells grow and reproduce uncontrollably in a certain area of the body, forming a tumor.
As a tumor grows, the cancerous cells can spread to other areas of the body. Doctors typically use a staging system to determine how severe a case of cancer is. This helps them determine the best course of treatment. Together, this information helps determine whether cancer is less advanced, at stage 1, very advanced, at stage 4, or somewhere in between. Cancer can take an enormous emotional and physical toll.
In the U. Big organizations such as the American Cancer Society provide a wealth of resources, including:. The National Cancer Institute has a database of more than organizations that offer emotional, financial, and practical support.
Learn more about coping with a cancer diagnosis and finding dedicated support here. Stage 4 is the most severe stage of cancer, but it is not always terminal. Generally, the likelihood of long-term survival decreases as cancer spreads farther from its point of origin.
Doctors use tumor size to help determine the stage of breast cancer. People with early-stage cancers are likely to have smaller tumors that are easier…. When Heather Jose was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer , she set a goal: Live to see her month-old daughter go to kindergarten. That day came and went long ago; in fact, she recently saw daughter Sydney off to her sophomore year of college.
A cancer survivor for nearly 19 years, Jose wants people to know that living with advanced cancer is possible, and more women will have the chance as treatment options expand. Jose was only 26 when she received her diagnosis in in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area. Her breast cancer had spread into her bones. A surgeon was grim about stage 4 treatment success statistics: He told her to get her affairs in order.
Merajver called me the next afternoon. Sofia Merajver, M. She had a double mastectomy, received radiation therapy and joined a clinical trial to receive two stem cell transplants. Newer drugs have been approved since these studies were completed—there is no way of knowing yet whether these treatments will alter the survival rates in the future. For example, newer HER2 targeted therapies, the addition of bisphosphonates, and other types of treatments are adding to the relatively new advances.
In addition, the newer immunotherapy drugs while not as effective with breast cancer as some other cancers have led to a durable response, or long-term response, for at least some people with advanced breast cancers. Another area of treatment that is changing is the treatment of oligometastases.
In the past, people with metastatic disease whether to a single site or many were treated the same way, via general treatments for metastatic cancer such as chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. Research has begun to look at the benefit of treating oligometastases, which are defined as one or only a few metastases to a particular organ. These isolated metastases may be treated with surgery or radiological techniques such as proton therapy or stereotactic body radiotherapy—techniques that treat the metastasis with curative intent.
With some cancer and metastases in some regions such as lung cancer with brain metastases , treatment has an extended life and sometimes results in long-term survival.
The research looking at treatment of oligometastases with breast cancer is relatively young, but hopefully will reveal similar improvement in life expectancy. Being a long term survivor is usually defined as living five or more years beyond a diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer. This rate is based on de novo cases or cases in which stage 4 was the initial diagnosis. While there is a significant degree of variability, according to one study, long-term survivors are:.
Long-term survivors are also more often diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the onset de novo breast cancer , rather than having had a previous early-stage breast cancer that recurred at distant sites.
In different studies, the length of response after the first treatment for metastatic breast cancer was linked to survival.
That said, it can be difficult to predict who may survive for a lengthy period of time based on measurements currently available. Recently, research has begun to focus on people who survive longer than expected, or "outliers," to gain insight into what might be making the difference. Coping with stage 4 breast cancer is challenging, and it is very different than coping with early-stage disease.
For those who originally faced early-stage breast cancer, not only do they need to face cancer again but this time they aren't dealing with a disease that can potentially be cured.
Metastatic breast cancer often comes with more symptoms as well, such as bone pain due to bone metastases and itching with liver metastases. On top of all of this and despite all of the "awareness" that has taken place , people with stage 4 disease may feel left out among the breast cancer community. Support is very important, and some studies suggest that social support even improves the length of survival. Connecting with family and friends is paramount, but becoming involved in a support group or breast cancer community is extremely helpful as well.
Through these communities, you have the opportunity to connect with others who are facing some of the same challenges. Many people with stage 4 breast cancer prefer a social community dedicated to metastatic breast cancer. If you're living with metastatic cancer, it may be hard to listen to others talk about concerns common with early-stage, such as hair loss or the chance of pregnancy.
You may have drastically different concerns, such as how long you will live. While there aren't currently any studies looking at self-advocacy and survival, being your own advocate can't hurt in maximizing your survival.
Oncology is changing rapidly and it's difficult for any oncologist—even those who specialize in breast cancer—to stay aware of all of the latest research and clinical trials taking place. It can be helpful to research your cancer yourself. Becoming involved via social media such as Twitter is also an excellent way to learn about the latest research, using the hashtag bcsm, which stands for breast cancer social media. Getting a second opinion can be helpful as well, especially from one of the larger cancer centers such as a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.
There are ways to learn about opportunities, however, that don't require traveling for opinions. There are now clinical trial matching services in which a nurse navigator can help to match your particular tumor and characteristics with clinical trials in progress all over the world.
Several of the larger cancer centers are now also offering remote second opinions, in which an oncology team can review your medical information and talk to you on the phone about whether there are any opportunities for treatment for you that may not be available elsewhere. Coping with the many symptoms that can occur with stage 4 breast cancer can be frustrating and discouraging, and people sometimes wonder if they will have to feel poorly the rest of their lives.
Anxiety and depression are also severe for some people with advanced disease. Fortunately, palliative care team consults are now offered at many cancer centers. While hospice is a form of palliative care, palliative care can be helpful even with early, curable tumors.
Working with a palliative care team to address physical and emotional issues frees you up to work with your oncologist on issues that treat your cancer specifically. While the research is also young, it appears that those people who receive palliative care consults not only have a better quality of life with advanced cancer, but they may actually live longer, too. Caring for a loved one with stage 4 breast cancer has special challenges as well.
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