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.
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.
