Stage 4 cancer usually can't be cured. In addition, because it's usually spread throughout the body by the time it's diagnosed, it is unlikely the cancer can be completely removed. The goal of treatment is to prolong survival and improve your quality of life.
Although the overall prognosis may be poor based on cases with previous patients and older treatments, many patients with stage 4 cancer can live for years.
Patients diagnosed with stage IV or metastatic cancer may not survive long without treatment. Options to treat stage IV cancer may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, hormone therapy or surgery, or a combination of these modalities.
Staging varies with the type of cancer. The term stage 5 isn't used with most types of cancer. Most advanced cancers are grouped into stage 4.
Stage 4 is the final stage on the cancer diagnostic scale, and indicates an advanced stage cancer diagnosis. This stage of cancer is considered advanced because it means that the cancer has progressed and spread from its initial site, into other areas or organs of the body.
People with advanced cancer are more likely to have pain. Cancer surgery, treatments, or tests can also cause pain. You may also have pain that has nothing to do with the cancer or its treatment.
Stage IV. This stage means that the cancer has spread to other organs or parts of the body. It may be also called advanced or metastatic cancer.
Cancer that cannot be cured and leads to death. Also called end-stage cancer.
Cancer that cannot be cured and leads to death. Also called terminal cancer.
During the Final Weeks:
Exhaustion, Weakness, and Desire to Sleep: The cancer patient may become much weaker and more easily exhausted during these last weeks. They may want to sleep often because of this, as well as spend most of their day in bed.
Stage IV. This stage means that the cancer has spread to other organs or parts of the body. It may be also called advanced or metastatic cancer.