Can you give me info on stages of cancer. Aunt was just diagnosed with Stage IV/?
Question:
Has ANYONE ever lived after being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and is it possible for it to be treated?
I know that I am reaching here, but we don't have a lot of information yet...Thanks!
Answers:
Yes, people live after being diagnosed with stage IV cancer. Staging is primarily for the doctors so they can determine the right treatment. Cancer is a progressive disease and a stage I disease is treated differently than a stage II, stage III, or stage IV.
Basically, stage 1 means the tumor is located in one spot. It is easier to treat because it is in that one spot and probably small. Sometimes surgery alone will 'cure' it. The tumor cells are also 'graded' as being low, medium, high, which refers to how abnormal the cells look under a micrcoscope. Stage 1, low grade is easiest to treat.
Stage 2 means that the tumor might be a little bigger and there could be more than one.
Stage 3 means that there are many more tumors or the tumor has started to invade the surrounding tissue. Usually, a stage 3 has not yet metastasized.
Stage 4 means that the tumors are larger, more of them, invasive of tissue, and more distinctly . . the tumor has shed 'seeds' that travel through the blood system or lymphatic system. These 'seeds' are malignant and can lodge in a distant location and begin growing new tumors. This is called Metastatic cancer. It is more difficult to treat but not impossible. Usually the plan will be to use chemotherapy to kill off as many of the microscopic cells as possible and shrink the tumors. Surgery and radiation are also used to contain and hopefully remove all visible signs of tumor.
For further information you can check:
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
http://www.nccn.org/
ACOR: Mailing list support groups
http://www.acor.org/
Best to you.
I don't really know all of the four stages. The American Cancer Society would be able to help.
I am truly sorry, but stage four is the last stage. Usually, at stage four doctors treat pain and discomfort as the cancer is beyond therapy.
I am sorry.
Google it under "stage 4 cancer" or "cancer prognosis and stages".helpful if you put in the type of cancer (breast, ovarian, pancreas, etc.)
Stage 4 is usually spread to other organs. It will be up to the surgeon and the oncologist to tell her what treatments are available.
Here is a website to clinical trials. http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
Put in the type of cancer and then after that hit the map button for local trials and don't forget to turn the pages.
In addition to the wonderful answer about the staging, let me assure you that the stages are a reference for the doctor. Yes, it is more advanced, but that is not necessarily a death sentence. The PET scan will give you more information. In the meantime, ask your aunt to stay off of sugar and bleached flour, as that is thought to feed the cancer cells. She might try taking Essiac tea in addition to the chemo. Essiac does not interfere with the chemo as my doctor is letting me use it. Good luck to you and your family.
Thats pretty bad. Once the PET scans done then you can make a better determination if she wants to be treated or start hospice.
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