What is colon Cancer Stage Four
Cancer that starts in the colon is called colon cancer, and that which starts in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Usually, cancer beginning from any of these two is known as colorectal cancer. Carcinoma is the major type of colorectal cancer while lymphoma carcinoid, melanoma, fibrosarcoma, and other types are less common. Studies show that people who are above 50, obese, intake low-fiber diet, experience polyps and ulcerative colitis are at risk of colon cancer. However, the exact causes of colon cancer are unknown.
When the patient reaches colon cancer stage four, the rates of survival drastically decrease. The five-year survival rate averages from 10 to 30 percent. Prevention is still the best way to ensure that patients don’t end up with colon cancer stage four.
Undertaking screening programs can help in prevention. Normal screening procedures start from age 50. For those who are at relatively greater risk, screening may start earlier. Men and women alike are at risk of developing colon cancer, so going to physicians for screening every few years is advisable in the active prevention of cancers.
When a patient is diagnosed with colon cancer stage four, this indicates that cancer is now largely present in the colon and has metastases in other parts of the body. The cancer must have invaded the lymph node system and have spread to the liver, lungs, bones, and the brain. Even at the fourth stage, there are chances of living past the projected five-year period. This depends on the spread and invasion of the cancer. However, the general prognosis for patients with colon cancer stage four is not very positive.
There are several medical procedures applicable to colon cancer stage four patients. The aim is usually to lessen symptoms. In body parts where removal of the tumors is possible, surgery can be performed. When surgery is not possible, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often the best alternatives. Though colon cancer stage four currently remains incurable, there is a continuous strife to help patients live a little more comfortably, if not longer.
Dealing with colon cancer stage four is one of the biggest challenges a diagnosed patient may face. It presents new feelings and fears with the information available about colon cancer stage four. Patients diagnosed with it must not handle the news and challenges alone. Cancer centers specializing in oncology treatments utilize advanced forms of traditional medicine combined with complementary therapies including nutrition, social support, mind-body medicine, and naturopathy.
Colon cancer stage four is considered to have spread outside other parts of the body where the tumors can vary in size and may or may not affect lymph nodes. Treatment may include removing the cancer surgically. Anastomosis may also be performed. It is another surgical procedure done to bypass the colon cancer and allow the healthy colon to meet. Other surgeries may remove parts of the organs such as the liver, lungs, and ovaries where the cancer may have spread. Chemotherapy relieves symptoms. Erbitux or Avastin are two new treatments for treating Dukes D colon cancer (colon cancer stage four). Immunological therapy is a combination of clinical trials of new chemotherapy regimens. Radiation relieves symptoms like chemotherapy.
Being diagnosed with colon cancer stage four is not good, but it does not mean that there is no hope. Proper medical treatment and care improves the chances of beating the five-year survival rate.
