Just found out mother in law has stage 4 cancer. Can someone explain stage 4?

Question

This is sad and true. serious answers only. She lives in Arkansas but we are trying to move her here. She was just let go from hospital yesterday and was told they could do no more. If we take her into our house here in Houston. What should we expect? She has no income or insurance.

Answer 1

Stage I
The cancer is less than 2 centimeters in size (about 1 inch), and has not spread to lymph nodes in the area (lymph nodes are small almond shaped structures that are found throughout the body which produce and store infection-fighting cells).

Stage II
The cancer is more than 2 centimeters in size, but less than 4 centimeters (less than 2 inches), and has not spread to lymph nodes in the area.

Stage III
Either of the following may be true: The cancer is more than 4 centimeters in size. The cancer is any size but has spread to only one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the cancer. The lymph node that contains cancer measures no more than 3 centimeters (just over one inch).

Stage IV
Any of the following may be true: The cancer has spread to tissues around the lip and oral cavity. The lymph nodes in the area may or may not contain cancer. The cancer is any size and has spread to more than one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the cancer, to lymph nodes on one or both sides of the neck, or to any lymph node that measures more than 6 centimeters (over 2 inches). The cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Recurrent
Recurrent disease means that the cancer has come back (recurred) after it has been treated. It may come back in the lip and oral cavity or in another part of the body.

Another method of staging oral carcinomas is referred to as the TNM method. In this method T describes the tumor, N describes the lymph nodes, and M describes distant metastasis.

TX Primary tumor cannot be assessed

T0 No evidence of primary tumor

Tis Carcinoma in situ

T1 Tumor 2 cm or less in greatest dimension

T2 Tumor more than 2 cm but not more than 4 cm in greatest dimension

T3 Tumor more than 4 cm in greatest dimension. (Lip) Tumor invades adjacent structures (e.g., through cortical bone, into deep [extrinsic] muscle of tongue, maxillary sinus, skin)

T4 (Oral cavity) Tumor invades adjacent structures (e.g., through cortical bone, into deep [extrinsic] muscle of tongue, maxillary sinus, skin)

NX Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed

N0 No regional lymph node metastasis

N1 Metastasis in a single ipsilateral lymph node, 3 cm or less in greatest dimension

N2 Metastasis in a single ipsilateral lymph node, more than 3 cm but not more than
6 cm in greatest dimension; in multiple ipsilateral lymph nodes, none more than 6 cm in greatest dimension; in bilateral or contralateral lymph nodes, none more than 6 cm in greatest dimension

N2a Metastasis in single ipsilateral lymph node more than 3 cm but not more than 6 cm in greatest dimension

N2b Metastasis in multiple ipsilateral lymph nodes, none more than 6 cm in greatest dimension

N2c Metastasis in bilateral or contralateral lymph nodes, none more than 6 cm in greatest dimension

N3 Metastasis in a lymph node more than 6 cm in greatest dimension

MX Presence of distant metastasis cannot be assessed

M0 No distant metastasis

M1 Distant metastasis

For example a patient described as a T2N1M0, has a primary tumor of between 2 and 4 cm, that has metastasized to a single node on one side, and that node is less than 3cm in size, and there are no distant metastases present.

Answer 2

cancer staging varies by type of cancer - with over 200 types. Typically cancer in an organ for example can be on the surface for stage 1, organ muscle partial penetration for stage 2 deeper penetration for stage 3 and stage 4 is where the organ wall has been perforated by the cancer cells. terms and/or Numbers are used for the growth rate - often 1-4 with 4 being the most agressive growth rate. Or Just agressive. Determination is typically done by a pathologist using a sample. For the release from the hospital as stage 4 and can not help part of question - contact the local HOSPICE - they treat the patient and family with the greatest care and there is no charge. The insure the end stage is as much pain free as possible.

Answer 3

With the youngsters being so younger, i am no longer so sure i might go into an excessive amount of detail. I'd tell them the grandma is in poor health, and the doctors are doing all that they can to help grandma. I'm not sure if you are a devout individual or not however in case you are then you definately could inform them that repeatedly it can be out of the health practitioner's fingers and there may be nothing left to do however to let God handle her in heaven from that factor on. I believe the youngsters are somewhat too young to recognize the depth of cancer.

Answer 4

iT MEANS HER CANCER HAS PROGRESSED TO A DEADLY LEVEL BEFORE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. the earlier you detect the cancer, the better the outcome...example, if her cancer was caught in stage 1, she would have a better chance. Good luck and God bless.

Nobody can tell the exact time she has, but if the docs said they could do no more, death usually happens within 6 months. I would contact a hospice in your area. They are a wonderful support system to have when you have a loved one with a terminal illness. I would not recommend going through this without hospice. You and your family will love them.

Answer 5

This is the final cancer stage and for many people the very worst as it's usually with incurable cases. Try contacting American Cancer Treatment Centers of America. They just might be able to help her. God Bless You.

Answer 6

sorry to hear that. cancer is in stages, 1 being just starting and easily beat and 4 being the worst. If you bring her home with you, you need to be prepared for her to be in a lot of agony and pain the closer to her time comes.One thing though, with you living in a major town like Houston, you should be able to locate some organizations that can help with getting her prescriptions and special equipment she might need like oxygen etc... Good Luck

Answer 7

Stage 4 of cancer means that the cancer is possibly spreading to different organs in the body like bones, liver, lungs, or brain or that it is spreading to the lymph nodes in the neck which are very close to the collarbone.

Answer 8

Call our local hospice center. These people are wonderful. They will help you with her care and answer all of your questions. If she doesn't have insurance, go to the local welfare office and apply for medicaid.

Answer 9

The 1st answer was correct.