2006-12-13 10:10:41 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
Depending on the type of cancer, doctors will stage the cancer based on whether there is one small tumor (stage 1) or multiple tumors that have spred throughout the body (stage 4). Doctors also will grade the tumor by how normal or abnormal it looks under the microscope. The lower the grade usually conicides with stage 1, while the higher grades conincide with the stage 4. Also considered in the mix is tumor aggressiveness (the amount of time it takes for a tumor to grow and spred). Some cancers are slow growing (20-30 years) and a patient can literally live with the cancer for years. Other cancers can be exceedingly quick and double in size in two or three weeks. Some tumors are stubborn and even after surgery will reappear in the exact same spot . . this reportedly is a mutation of the original cancer, and thus can become difficult to treat.
A stage 4 diagnosis is primarily used by the oncologist to determine how to treat the patient. It does not mean the cancer is a death sentence. A stage 4 is more difficult to treat because it is so widespred. Most common cancers have a number of various 'protocols' or 'cancer guides' that have been tested on hundreds of other patients. The first line protocol for a stage 4 cancer will be tried first, if the patient fails to respond, than there is usually another protocol that will follow. You can find 'protocols' for your type of cancer online. Successfull treatment for a stage 4 cancer patient relies on many factors including the age of the patient, location of the tumors, aggressiveness of the cancer, the patients overall health and the initial response to treatment. It is complicated and life threatening. It is possible however to have good quality of life and the chance of a cure if you are strong, determined, and a little bit lucky.
2006-12-13 16:05:44 · answer #1 · answered by Panda 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on the patient's age and overall health accompanied with the type of cancer.
Some cancers, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma, still has good odds of remission even at stage four (something like 70% at stage 4) others have worse odds at earlier stages (something like pancreatic cancer has something like a 97% mortality rate)
2006-12-13 12:17:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I cannot believe someone can leave messages like this on such a topic.
You all should be ashamed. You dont know why the question was asked. People have feelings, you all should be ashamed of yourselves.
This is the most serious stage of cancer. Where is the cancer? When was is diagnosed?
2006-12-13 12:05:21 · answer #3 · answered by Igottheanswers 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't no but I just emailed 2 people about cancer all I no is my cousin died at the age of 4 because of cancer
Love Dakota Fanning
2006-12-17 05:02:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
stage 4 means that cancer has metastasized (moved ) to 2 or more areas of the body..( for ex. if you have stage 4 breast cancer that means it has traveled to other parts of your body like brain ,spinal cord and liver ) stage 4 is the last stage before death and it is hard to recover from
2006-12-14 07:37:01 · answer #5 · answered by ♠ JƏSSƏ'S GiRL ♠ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get your affairs in order, but there is still hope.
Choices will have to be made, like Quality of life vs Quantity of life. Just to name one.
And other factor like: Spouse, Children, ages of children, Surgery, Chemo or Holistic Therapies,
Spirituality even weighs in.
2006-12-13 10:21:02 · answer #6 · answered by M_Palidin_2001 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋