Is stage 4 cancer terminal? While Stage 4 cancer can be terminal, stage 4 cancer isn’t always terminal.
Can you survive stage 4 cancer? Different types of cancer have different treatment options, life expectancies, and survival rates. There are options depending on the type of cancer you’re dealing with. Urgent care is often necessary so getting doctors’ advice about treatment options is essential.
In this article, you’ll learn about common types of Stage 4 cancer and their treatment options, life expectancies, and average survival rates. You’ll also be introduced to options for support and resources for financial assistance.
Note: If you have been diagnosed with cancer, have a current life insurance policy, and want immediate cash —you may be eligible for a viatical settlement, where you sell your life insurance policy for a cash payment. Learn more and see if you qualify by visiting us here.
What is Stage 4 Cancer?
Is Stage 4 cancer the worst? It is certainly the severest. What does Stage Four cancer mean? Stage 4 is the final stage on the cancer diagnostic scale and indicates an advanced-stage cancer diagnosis. This stage of cancer is considered advanced because it means that cancer has progressed and spread from its initial site, into other areas or organs of the body. Because Stage 4 cancer is the most advanced form of the illness, the outlook, or prognosis, is generally not positive.
How bad is stage 4 cancer? Stage 4 cancer can often be terminal. However, it is not always terminal; even when it is terminal, patients can still live much longer than expected.
Metastatic Cancer
Metastatic cancer is another common name for Stage 4 cancer. More specifically, ‘metastatic’ refers to the process of ‘metastasis,’ by which cancer spreads from its primary site to a distant secondary area of the body.
Solid Tumors vs. Liquid
Cancer can occur in one of two different forms: solid tumors or liquid cancers.
When cancer forms a solid mass or tumor, it is called a ‘solid tumor’ cancer. In this type of cancer, tumorous masses form in a specific bodily organ, such as the breasts, lungs, or ovaries—for example. Solid tumors can occur anywhere in the body.
On the other hand, ‘liquid cancers,’ or ‘liquid tumors,’ refer to those that specifically affect the blood, bone marrow, or lymph nodes of the body only. Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma are examples of liquid cancers.
The Cancer Stages
Like many other life-threatening illnesses, cancer is diagnosed in stages. Generally, stages are calculated on a scale from 0-4 and have to do with factors including the tumor size, how far it has spread, and where in the body it is located. However, there are several other common ways cancer stages are diagnosed.
TNM staging system
One of the most common cancer staging systems is the TNM system. The acronym “T” stands for “tumor” and describes the features of the primary tumor. “N” is for “nodes” and explains whether or not cancer has spread into the patient’s lymph nodes. Finally, “M” is for “metastasized” and indicates whether or not cancer has spread to other body areas.
Binet and Rai systems
Binet and Rai are the staging systems that specifically diagnose Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a non-tumorous cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Both systems use the patient’s white blood cell count to determine how far their cancer may have spread and what areas of the body are being affected.
Cancer Grading
Cancer grading is the process of describing the appearance of cancer cells under a microscope. The grading system has three categories. Grade 1 is assigned to cancer cells that look more normal and are growing at a slower pace. Grade 2 indicates that the cancer cells look different from normal cells and grow faster. Grade 3 indicates that the cancer cells look even more abnormal and may spread or grow more aggressively than Grade 2.
Testing & Biopsy
Testing and biopsy are some of the more general ways of determining the potential stage of cancer. Testing can provide information about the cancer’s location in the body and can include any of the following tests: CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, and PET scans. A biopsy is a process whereby the doctor will remove a small portion of an identified tumor and have it tested in a lab to determine whether or not it’s cancerous.
Stage 4 Cancer Treatment Options
How severe is stage 4 cancer? When it comes to treating Stage 4 cancer, there are a few different commonly used methods, which we will examine below.
Please remember that whether or not an individual is a candidate for the following treatment options depends upon certain variables— so it is always best to consult your doctor directly to find out which stage 4 cancer treatments are most appropriate for you.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that cancer patients can participate. The purpose of a clinical trial is to utilize a specific treatment approach in combination with new approaches, such as a new type of medication or a new combination of medications. Sometimes at the research institutes, clinical trials even attempt to use an already established treatment method in a new way, hoping to achieve better results over time.
Clinical trials can allow patients access to new and innovative cancer treatments that may be successful.
Systemic & Common Drug Treatments (Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy)
Chemotherapy is how anti-cancer drugs are used as a cancer treatment method. Because chemotherapy is aimed at destroying cancer cells, it has effectively cured cancer in some people. While chemotherapy may not be completely effective in curing Stage four cancer, it does offer the benefit of easing and relieving some of its symptoms of it—which is certainly a step in the right direction.
Additionally, immunotherapy is the process by which a patient’s immune system is stimulated to encourage the body to fight off cancer. One common form of immunotherapy treatment utilizes various drugs, known as ‘checkpoint inhibitors,’ to encourage the immune system to identify and attack cancer cells independently. There are many forms of immunotherapy, so it’s best to consult your doctor to learn more.
Surgery
Surgery is commonly used to treat cancer caused by solid tumors, specifically those in one area. Cancer is considered Stage 4 when it has spread to more than one body area. For this reason, using surgery to treat Stage 4 cancer is uncommon—but it does happen occasionally.
Surgery is often deemed appropriate for Stage 4 cancer only if the original cancerous tumor is not large and/or the tumors that have spread are small in size and number. When this is the case, surgery may be possible.
Radiation
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses radiation technology to shrink cancerous tumors. High radiation levels can kill off cancer cells by slowing their growth and effectively damaging them over time. Radiation therapy has been shown to cure cancer effectively in some, but it is not always 100 percent effective for everyone. However, even when radiation does not cure one’s cancer, it still has the potential to reduce its size.
Many cancer patients also use alternative & holistic cancer treatment and regular cancer treatments.
Types of Stage 4 Cancers and Their Treatment Practices
Stage 4 Lung Cancer and Treatments
Advanced lung cancer is diagnosed when it is determined that cancer has spread— either from one lung to the second lung or from the lungs to another part of the body. The most common organs metastatic lung cancer spreads to are the liver, brain, bones, or adrenal glands.
Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer patients are usually inoperable, so the most common treatment methods tend to be targeted drug therapies, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are most commonly used for stage 4 small cell lung cancer to treat symptoms while shrinking cancer.
Learn about how to get financial help for lung cancer
Stage 4 Prostate Cancer and Treatments
A stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis means that cancer has spread beyond the prostate, usually to the adrenal glands, bones, lungs, or liver.
Treatment for stage iv prostate cancer, also known as metastatic prostate cancer, can involve removing the prostate and providing hormone therapy. Other prostate cancer treatments include Hormone-blocking therapy which reduces the amount of testosterone in the body to help slow or shrink the growth of cancer. This hormone therapy is sometimes used alongside testicle removal on a case-by-case basis. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are also occasionally used.
For those with advanced prostate cancer, check out the Financial Help for Prostate Cancer Patients available.
Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer and Treatments
Stage 4 colorectal cancer indicates that cancer has spread from the colon and/or rectal area to a more distant body area— usually the lungs, liver, or bones.
Treating stage 4 colorectal cancer can include surgery to remove the original tumor and any small tumors that may have spread. A partial Colectomy or full Ostomy procedure may also be necessary, and lymph node removal is possible. Chemotherapy and targeted drug therapies are the main treatment methods for tumors that are too large and/or have spread to too many different areas.
Financial Help for Colon and Colorectal Cancer Patients
Stage 4 Breast Cancer and Treatments
Is Stage 4 breast cancer terminal? Stage 4 breast cancer – also known as metastatic breast cancer, is diagnosed when it is realized that cancer has spread beyond the breast and its immediate surrounding areas to other, distant areas of the body. The most common organs advanced breast cancer cells spread to are the lungs, liver, brain, or bones.
When it comes to stage 4 breast cancer treatment, systemic drug therapies are the main method. These can include any combination of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. In some situations, radiation and/or surgery may also be possible.
Financial Help for Breast Cancer Patients
Stage 4 Cancer Survival Rate and Life Expectancy
Survival Rates
How long can someone live with Stage 4 cancer? Generally, survival rates for advanced cancer depend upon a few different variables, including the type of cancer, its grade, and the patient’s age and overall health.
Survival Rate List
Stage 4 terminal cancer life expectancy is complicated. Below, you’ll see our convenient Survival Rate Chart, which offers further insight into the specifics when it comes to the survival rates of different cancer types
Stage 4 Cancer Average 5-Year Survival Rate According to the American Cancer Society:
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: 7%
- Small-Cell Lung Cancer: 3%
- Prostate Cancer: 30%
- Colorectal: 14%
- Breast Cancer: 28%
Stage 4 Patients Can Live For Years
Can you live with stage 4 cancer? The 5-year survival rates listed in the chart above are NOT intended to scare you but rather to inform you of the average, approximate rates for each type of cancer we have explored in this article. The fact is, Stage 4 cancer patients can live for YEARS, and these statistics are just that, statistics. They do not define your experience or mean you cannot beat cancer and thrive!
Finding Support
Navigating a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis can be scary. How long does stage 4 cancer last? There is no specific answer to this question but the good news is that help is always available, and you are not alone!
Counseling
Many cancer patients benefit from sharing their emotional experiences with a counselor. A counselor can help patients learn effective ways of managing feelings of depression and anxiety and can offer healthy coping methods.
Many different forms of counseling are available with various types of professionals, including therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, medical oncology workers, counselors, etc—meaning your options are certainly not limited when it comes to finding the right professional to serve you best.
Cancer Care Team / Pain Clinics
If you’re looking for support during this time, working with your oncologist and cancer care team can be helpful. Many teams include a ‘patient navigator’ assigned to guide you through the different stages of your diagnosis and connect you to helpful resources that can assist you.
Pain clinics, or palliative care, are another option. Your palliative care team supports you by treating and preventing the painful and uncomfortable side effects that can result from certain forms of cancer treatment.
Support Groups
Cancer support groups offer a safe space for people battling cancer to unite and share their emotions and experiences living with cancer. For many, these support groups serve as a community and social support system and can be a wonderful resource for those coming to terms with their cancer diagnosis.
Financial Assistance
We know that affording Stage 4 cancer treatment can be a stressful and emotional experience, which is why, here at American Life Fund, we work to help cancer patients financially. If you have been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, have a current life insurance policy, and need immediate cash to pay for treatment—you may be eligible for a viatical settlement. Learn more and see if you qualify by visiting us here.
Also, take a look at some of our articles on how to find financial assistance and free money for cancer patients:
- Financial Assistance & Free Money For Cancer Patients
- 30+ Organizations & Charities That Help Cancer Patients Financially.
How many stages of cancer are there?
There are four primary stages of cancer, numbered from stage 1 to stage 4, with subcategories within each stage. Here’s a brief overview of each stage:
Stage 1 Cancer:
Stage 1 is the earliest cancer stage and is often called localized cancer. At this stage, the tumor is small and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or other body areas. Treatment options for stage 1 cancer typically have a high success rate, as the cancer is usually more manageable and responsive to therapy.
Stage 2 Cancer:
In stage 2, the cancer has grown larger but has not yet spread to nearby lymph nodes or other tissues. This stage is considered an intermediate stage and can be further divided into stages 2A and 2B, depending on the tumor size and other factors. Treatment for stage 2 cancer usually involves surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, and the prognosis is generally good, although not as favorable as stage 1 cancer.
Stage 3 Cancer:
Stage 3 cancer is more advanced, with the tumor growing and possibly spreading to nearby lymph nodes. This stage can also be divided into stages 3A, 3B, and 3C, depending on the extent of cancer involvement. Treatment for stage 3 cancer often includes surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The prognosis varies depending on the type of cancer and the extent of its spread.
Stage 4 Cancer:
Stage 4 is the most advanced cancer stage, also known as metastatic cancer. The cancer has spread to distant body parts, such as other organs, bones, or the brain. Stage 4 cancer is often considered terminal because it is challenging to treat and cure. However, advancements in cancer treatments and therapies can sometimes help manage the disease, extend life expectancy, and improve the quality of life for patients with stage 4 cancer.
Conclusion: Is Stage 4 Cancer Terminal?
Receiving a stage 4 cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and devastating. It’s important to remember that every patient’s experience with cancer is unique, and there is always hope, regardless of the statistics. Patients must have access to the right treatment options, support systems, and resources to help them navigate this difficult journey.
Can a person survive stage 4 cancer? Absolutely! While the road ahead may be tough, cancer patients are not alone. There are compassionate healthcare professionals, dedicated cancer care teams, and supportive communities that can provide comfort and guidance throughout the process. It’s okay to ask for help, and it’s essential to remember that seeking emotional support is just as important as seeking medical treatment.
