What is the Survival Rate for Stage 4 Cancer?

Stage 4 Cancer Survival Rates: What You Need to Know

When facing a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer, one of the most pressing and emotional questions for patients and their loved ones is about survival rates. Stage 4 cancer, often referred to as metastatic cancer, means that the disease has spread beyond its original site to other parts of the body. Understanding survival rates can provide important context, helping patients make informed decisions about their care and set realistic expectations for their journey ahead.

What is Stage 4 Cancer?

Stage 4 cancer, also known as metastatic cancer or advanced cancer, is cancer that has spread from its original location into distant or nearby body parts. This stage of cancer requires expert treatment.

Generally, in stage 4 treatment, the goals set are to minimise complications and improve the patient’s quality of life. The treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and stopping or slowing new cancer cell growth.

Specific Survival Rates of Different Kinds of Cancers

The table below shows the rate of survival in cases of different kinds of cancer:

Cancer Type	Relative Survival Rate (5-year)
Breast	30%
Colorectal	16%
Lung	9%
Stomach	6.6%
Prostate	32%
Cervical	17%
Melanoma (skin)	30%

What are the Causes of Stage 4 Cancer?

The primary cause of the development of stage 4 cancer is the breakage of cancer cells from the primary location and their spread to other body parts. This spread is via the lymphatic system or bloodstream.

What are Some Symptoms of Stage 4 Cancer?

Symptoms for stage 4 cancer depend on the kind of cancer and the body part it is affecting. The table below shows the impacted body parts due to cancer and the symptoms that might be related to it:

Impacted Part of the Body	Symptoms During Stage 4 Cancer
Cancer spread to the bone	Bone pain and fractures
Cancer spread to the brain	Seizures, headaches, and dizziness
Cancer spread to the lungs	Shortness of breath
Cancer spread to the liver	Jaundice or abdominal swelling

Measurement System for Stages of Cancer

The TNM system stands for tumour, node, and metastasis. It is a system used to determine the stage of cancer after its identification. It is done by analysing the size and spread of the tumour. The table below shows the categorisation of the TNM system:

Components	Number Labels	What it Means
T (Tumour)	T0	No evidence of tumour
T (Tumour)	T1-T4	Increasing tumour size and spread
N (Node)	N0	No lymph node involvement
N (Node)	N1-N3	Increasing numbers and sizes of involved lymph nodes
M (Metastasis)	M0	No distant metastasis
M (Metastasis)	M1	Indicates distant metastasis

How is Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of stage 4 cancer is done by a specialist who can use several tests to determine the severity of the same. The following tests are used for diagnosis:

Medical Imaging: This test gives visual information about the cancer’s spread. The most common imaging tests are CT scans, MRI, PET scans, and ultrasounds.
Biopsy: These tests use removed body tissue to check for cancer. Different types of biopsy tests include needle, incisional, excisional, and liquid.
Blood Tests: This is a specific test that is used to diagnose cancer, coupled with other tests. They generally identify blood cell counts, protein levels, or other determining factors.
Endoscopy: This test is primarily used to diagnose gastrointestinal cancers. It is used to analyse the stomach lining and the small intestine. Upper endoscopy is the most common test in this category.

How is Stage 4 Cancer Treated?

For the treatment of stage 4 cancer, the method is dependent on the kind of cancer one has. These are some common treatments used in treating cancer, which are as follows:

Chemotherapy: This focuses on killing cancer cells that are spreading fast or preventing the spread of infected cells.
Immunotherapy: It is a treatment that tries to use the body’s immune system for treatment instead of traditional treatments such as external drugs or radiation.
Radiation Therapy: This is one of the most common treatments for cancer. It uses high-energy rays, such as X-rays, to kill or shrink cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy: It is a part of precision medicine that specifically targets and attacks cancer cells to minimise the harm they cause to nearby healthy cells.
Surgery: This is also one of the most common methods for cancer treatment. It uses multiple techniques to remove cancerous tissue from the body.

With the involvement of new technologies and research, the overall survival rate for stage 4 cancer is increasing for every kind. At this stage, it is necessary to get appropriate treatment from a specialist.