Stage IV
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that involves an area of the large intestine. If the cancer has spread into the rectum or the end of the colon, the patient may have colorectal cancer. This type of cancer generally starts off as benign tumors that are called polyps. They are usually removed in order to prevent them from turning into cancer at a later date. Once a colon cancer diagnosis has been made, it is staged. Staging helps oncologists and other doctors put the cancer into perspective for the best possible course of treatment. Staging takes place based on the progression of the cancer. These numbers range from I to IV---with IV being the most severe or advanced. In order to determine the correct staging, the doctor combines PET scans, MRIs, X-rays and pathology reports to get an accurate diagnosis and prognosis. For someone who has had their cancer spread from the colon area to other areas of the body, their colon cancer is likely a stage IV. This means that is has spread or metastasized to areas such as the bone, liver, lungs or brain. It may have also spread to the lymph nodes. Stage IV colon cancer with metastases is generally a cancer that is in its late or final stages.
Treatment
The treatment for the last stages of colon cancer are generally palliative. This means that the oncologist and surgeon generally do not consider utilizing curative treatments. They explore ways to alleviate pain and make the patient comfortable during their last months or weeks of life. The oncologist may, however, recommend that the patient receive surgery to remove a tumor that may be causing pain or discomfort. They may also recommend forms of radiation or hormonal therapy to help reduce the size of the primary tumor. These procedures will only be considered if the patient is not in the dying process and is a strong candidate for a successful recovery.
Prognosis
The prognosis for someone with late-stage colon cancer is poor. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for someone with stage IV colon cancer is only 8 percent. There are many things to consider when it comes to determining a prognosis. The location and size of the primary tumor, what organs the cancer has spread to, the person's age and any underlying medical conditions all play a role in whether the patient will survive longer with treatment or if treatment isn't an option due to the extent of the disease. A hospice care team may be utilized to provide end-of-life care and support to the patient and his family.
