Understanding Stage 4 / IV Cancer
It is important to really ask your oncologist what does a stage IV / 4 metastatic cancer mean for the cancer type specifically. I have seen and heard patients and their families feel 'if it isn't curable, dad does not want a biopsy or to see an oncologist.' Since 2015 cancer treatment in a metastatic / spread picture has changed significantly from ten years prior. While make no mistake, several stage 4 cancers like pancreatic and triple negative breast cancer are very challenging, there are other tumor types and mutations that can potentially make them be overcome for long good quality of life periods of time. In addition, even colon and rectal cancers now that spread to liver and even lungs (metastatic stage 4), if only a handful of lesions, can have impressive 5 year and potential curative rates with surgery and chemotherapy. The overall message--do ask what your stage means for your cancer type specifically, and refrain from hearing the stories and battle from others as no cancer and situation is the same.
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