Hearing the words “Stage 4 cancer” can be frightening for patients and their families. One of the first questions many people ask is:
“Does Stage 4 cancer mean there is no hope?”
Not necessarily.
For many cancers, Stage 4 means the cancer has spread from its original location to distant parts of the body. This is called metastatic cancer. Although metastatic cancer can be difficult to treat, there are treatments available for many types of Stage 4 cancer. In some cases, treatment can control the disease for years, relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life.
The outlook varies greatly depending on the type of cancer, where it has spread, tumor biology, available treatments, and how the cancer responds to treatment.
What Does Stage 4 Cancer Mean?
Cancer staging describes how extensive a cancer is when it is diagnosed.
For many cancers, stages range from Stage 0 to Stage 4. Stage 4 generally indicates that the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body. In the TNM staging system, distant spread is represented by M1.
For example:
- Breast cancer that spreads to the liver is called metastatic breast cancer.
- Colon cancer that spreads to the lungs remains colorectal cancer, not lung cancer.
- Prostate cancer that spreads to the bones remains metastatic prostate cancer.
The cancer is named according to where it originally started, even when it spreads to another organ.
Does Stage 4 Mean Cancer Is Everywhere?
No.
Stage 4 means there is distant spread, but the amount and location of metastatic disease can vary considerably.
Some patients may have a small number of metastatic tumors in one distant organ