What Does Stage 3 Cancer Generally Mean?

Understand All about Stage 3 Cancer

Stage 3 cancer occurs when a tumour becomes larger and spreads even farther than it did in the earlier stages. Oftentimes, it is known as locally advanced cancer. As is evident, the cancer in this stage is even more advanced than stage 2 because the tumour becomes larger and spreads to nearby tissue or lymph nodes.

What is Stage 3 Cancer?

During this stage, the tumour may grow to a particular size or consist of multiple tumours. They spread to the nearby tissues, organs and lymph nodes. In some instances, stage 3 cancers can be termed Metastatic cancers. It means they spread more than their organ of origin.

There are multiple stage 3 cancers, which have many subcategories, such as 3A, 3B and 3C.

Symptoms of Stage 3 Cancer

Stage 3 type of cancer has an association with a vast range of symptoms which impair the quality of a patient's life. Here are a few symptoms which show up during this stage:

General pain and discomfort due to therapy and procedures
Significant shifts and changes in the mood of patients
Inability to sleep and rest
Difficulties in breathing
Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, nausea, and a loss of appetite
Severe weight loss as a result of undergoing therapies and procedures
Swelling and bloating of the body due to fluid accumulation

Common Types of Stage 3 Cancers

Here are a few common types of stage 3 cancers which affect individuals at large:

Breast Cancer : During stage 3 breast cancer, the tumour becomes very large and extends beyond the chest wall. The cancerous cells also spread to the nearby lymph nodes.
Lung Cancer : When it comes to stage 3 lung cancer, the parts with damage are the tissues near the prostate. It also reaches the seminal vesicles, glands that secrete semen components.
Melanoma : In stage 3 melanoma, the cancer cells spread to the nearby lymph nodes but not to distant organs.
Prostate Cancer : Prostate cancer severely affects the intestines and muscles of an individual. The cancer also spreads to lymph nodes near and into nearby tissues and organs.
Colorectal Cancer : The cancer grows into the intestinal wall and enters the muscle. It also spreads to lymph nodes located nearby but not really to the distant organs.

Treatment Procedures for Stage 3 Cancer

The treatment for stage 3 cancer differs based on the organ that is affected by cancerous cells. The more advanced a stage is, the more intricate the treatment procedure is.

Chemotherapy : In this treatment, potent drugs are used to kill cancerous cells. It also actively helps to ease symptoms of stage 3 cancer. Chemo kills the growing cancerous cells in the hair follicles and the mouth.
Hormone Therapy : This kind of therapy is also referred to as Endocrine therapy. It is primarily used with tumours which require hormones to grow. Breast and prostate cancers are two such examples which need hormone therapy for treatment.
Radiation Therapy : This type of treatment uses radiation to kill cancerous cells. Radiation energy has the power to damage cells. Hence, this therapy weakens cancerous cells. Radiation therapy particularly targets the area of the body which is primarily affected by cancer.
Immunotherapy : This therapy uses the immune system of the body to fight against cancerous cells. Our body has ways to find and destroy any cells which can turn cancerous. These therapies actively help promote the body's immune system to combat cancer.
Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy is a type of personalised medicine. It attacks cancerous cells based on their genetics. These therapies have the power to slow or stop the growth of cancerous cells by targeting gene changes which halt harmful cell growth.

Stage 3 cancer, in general, indicates a significant progression. While this stage poses several challenges, it is treatable with various therapies and healthcare measures. It is important at this stage to effectively manage symptoms for the well-being of the patient.