Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp

Stage 4 Cancer

Metastatic Cancer or Stage 4 Cancer, Stage IV

Metastatic cancer, or stage 4 cancer, is a medical term describing a condition where the tumor that started in a specific organ is detected in another organ or location distant from that source organ, also called the “primary tumor”. For example, breast cancer metastases can be diagnosed in the lungs, brain, bones, and liver.

It is important to note that a metastasis is the same tumor as the original tumor, even if it has settled in another organ, and the treatment is addressed accordingly. For example, treatment for lung cancer that has metastasized to the liver will be determined according to the treatment for metastatic lung cancer, not according to the treatment for liver cancer.

The Process of Metastasis Formation

Cancer cells from the original, primary tumor can be released into the bloodstream and lymphatic system, flow through them to distant organs or those adjacent to the primary tumor, “settle” there, and grow.

There are types of cancer for which it is known where metastases can form, for example:

  • Breast cancer can send metastases to the bones, brain, liver, and lungs.
  • Lung cancer can send metastases to the brain, bones, liver, and kidney.
  • Prostate cancer can send metastases to the bones.
  • Colon and rectal cancer can send metastases to the liver and lungs.
Breast cancer metastasis formation process

Chances of Recovery from Metastatic Cancer, Stage 4

In the vast majority of metastatic cases, treatments are not curative. The therapeutic goals are slowing the tumor growth rate, extending life, reducing disease symptoms, and improving the patient’s quality of life.

The efficacy of treatments is affected by multiple factors, including: cancer type, number and location of metastases, tumor burden in the patient’s body, growth rate of cancerous lesions, the patient’s treatment history, background diseases, the tumor microenvironment among the cancer cells themselves, resistance the cancer has developed to previous treatments, and more.

Innovative Personalized Treatments and Clinical Trials in Metastatic Stage 4 Cancer

For most cancer patients, existing treatments do not cure the cancer, hence the need for innovative and effective strategies to fight the disease.

The National Cancer Institute in the USA, the NCI, recommends that patients with advanced-stage cancer participate in one of the many clinical trials existing worldwide to increase therapeutic success chances. Joining this recommendation is the umbrella organization of leading US cancer centers, the NCCN, emphasizing that every patient should be encouraged to participate in clinical trials at every stage of the disease:

“Patients with cancer should be encouraged to participate in clinical trials during all aspects of their diagnosis and treatment”

Today, every patient will be treated with the standard protocols mentioned above, and sometimes the oncologist will offer to join trials open at their institute.

Advancement in cancer treatments lies in clinical trials, where the most advanced and interesting drugs are found, some of which have even earned FDA recognition as “Breakthrough Therapies,” with more data required from studies until final official approval.

A whole world of trials and compassionate use treatments is open and available globally, and it is important to know which treatments from the forefront of science exist worldwide that the patient can benefit from much more than any conventional treatment offered.

For most patients with malignant cancer, existing treatments do not cure the cancer, hence the need for innovative and effective strategies to fight the disease.

You are invited to read our publications about innovative and breakthrough treatments from around the world for metastatic stage 4 cancer >>


Common Questions about Stage 4 Cancer (Summary)

Q: What is the difference between metastatic cancer and primary cancer?

Metastatic cancer (Stage 4) is a condition where cells from the original tumor have migrated to other organs. Treatment is always determined by the origin of the primary tumor, not the organ where the metastasis was detected.

Q: Are there treatments beyond the standard protocol?

Yes. Beyond the standard protocol, there are clinical trials worldwide, compassionate use drugs, and advanced biological treatments (Off-label) that may suit the specific characteristics of the tumor.

Q: Why does the NCI recommend clinical trials?

Because that is where progress lies. Clinical trials allow access to breakthrough drugs that have not yet reached final approval and may be more effective than existing standard treatment.

To check if our service suits your case
We need to talk

Improve therapeutic outcomes, prolong life and quality of life, is our main business.
We support access to and expand cancer treatments beyond the standard of care, with the most advanced and innovative treatment options in the world, personally matching the individual cancer patient’s medical condition and with the support of top tier oncologists.

Article categories

קטגוריות המאמרים

Popular topics

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp

Gastric Cancer – 83.7% respond to Opdivo with Taxol plus Cyramza

The triplet of Opdivo, Cyramza and Paclitaxel showed promising antitumor activity with durable responses in a phase II study of patients with advanced gastric cancer.

The impact of PD-L1 expression on the clinical outcome for this combination is not clear.

Study rational

Opdivo has already shown a significant survival benefit in patients with advanced gastric cancer,while Cyramza demonstrated enhanced survival in combination with Paclitaxel as second-line treatment. Thus, the combination seems rational.

About the study

The phase I/II study tested the effect of the triplet in 43 advanced gastric cancer patients who failed Platinum and Fluoropyrimidine doublet chemotherapy and their disease had progressed.

Results

  • 37.2% of patients had their cancer shrunk
  • Another 46.5% had their cancer stopped from further growing
  • And so a total of 83.7% of patient responded to the triple combination.
  • At almost 2 years, 46.5% of patients had their disease progressed.
  • The median survival was 13.1 months
  • At one year from the start of the triple treatment 55.8% of patients were alive and at two years, 32.1%.

The best treatment for a cancer patient is to get the most advanced cancer drugs in advanced stages of development. There, the hope and the chance to extend life go far beyond the standard protocols.

Contact us to find out what is the best treatment for YOU

TRIAL•IN Pharma

Do not give up on life!

Contact us 24/7 for free service matching:

Call center +44.2082.426.039

For further reading

About Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer, also called “Stomach cancer”, starts when some of the cells constituting the inner part of the stomach start growing and proliferating without control. This abnormal growth creates a tumor that is cancerous. Usually gastric cancer grows slowly, along a course of many years.

Cause of Gastric Cancer

At the present it is still unknown why some people contract the disease, while others don’t. However, it is known that bacteria, named “H. pylori” may increase the chance of contracting stomach cancer, as well as a stomach inflammation known as “Gastritis”, long term anemia known as “Pernicious anemia” and the formation of polyps in the stomach.

Symptoms

  • Indigestion
  • Feeling swollen after eating
  • Heartburn
  • Mild nausea
  • Loss of appetite

Clinical trials for gastric cancer

Facts

The existing therapies used on stage 4 metastatic gastric cancer are not curative, and this is a source to the need for innovative and effective treatment strategies in order to fight the disease.

The National Cancer Institute, NCI, highlights the fact that for a certain group of gastric cancer patients, the best treatment option is to join one of the many clinical trials existing worldwide aiming to increase their chances of therapeutic success.

Currently, every patient will be offered the standard protocols described above. Sometimes the oncologist may suggest integrating these therapies with trials carried out in the institute.

The opportunity

Advances in cancer therapies may be found in clinical trials prescribing cutting edge, innovative drugs, some of which have already been recognized by the US Food & Drug Administration, the FDA, as “breakthrough drugs” and require further information to be approved.

An entire world of clinical trials, Compassionate drugs and advanced new cancer treatments are available worldwide.

It is important to know and have access to cutting edge cancer treatments that best match the unique medical condition of the patient and increase chances in winning the fight against compared to the standard care offered.

Note to remember!

Not every patient is eligible to enter a specific clinical trial. The eligibility conditions must be fully met and each case is reviewed separately to ensure that the clinical trial matches to the specific cancer patient and vice versa.

#cancer

No Cost service compatibility check
Please fill in the details and we will back to you as soon as possible

Improving therapeutic success, extending life and quality of life are our main business. We extend to metastatic cancer patients and patients with brain tumors, the most advanced treatment options in the world and the best experts in Israel and abroad.

Article categories

קטגוריות המאמרים

Popular topics