I Refused to Let My Stage 4 Cancer Be a Death Sentence

What To Know About Stage 4 Breast Cancer Remission And Recurrence

When cancer is in remission, it's not visible on imaging or other tests. There's a chance it's still in the body but too small to detect. Recurrence means the cancer has returned, either in the original site or in nearby lymph nodes.

There's no current cure for stage 4 breast cancer, but it can be treated and managed.

Most people with stage 4 breast cancer have alternating periods of disease stability and disease progression.

It isn't clear why stage 4 cancer doesn't progress further in some people, yet others who have the disease don't survive. In most cases, stage 4 cancer is likely to return, even if a person enters remission.

This article looks at remission and recurrence for people living with stage 4 breast cancer.

Although remission is an important milestone during cancer treatment, it doesn't mean the body is free of cancer. When cancer is in remission, healthcare professionals can't see the disease on imaging or other tests. There's a chance the disease is still in the body but at a level that's too small to detect.

When treatment destroys all cancer cells that could be measured or seen on a test, it's called a pCR. This stands for pathological complete response or pathological complete remission.

A partial response or partial remission means the cancer partly responded to the treatment, but the treatment didn't destroy it.

However, continued advances in chemotherapy and other breast cancer treatments have led to improved survival rates for people with stage 4 cancer.

A 2017 review reports that advanced therapies are extending the amount of time before cancer becomes detectable again. There's an indication that further improvements, especially in areas such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy, will increase the number of people living with stage 4 cancer.

Breast cancer recurrence means the disease has returned after it was undetectable for some time.

The cancer may return in the same breast where doctors first diagnosed it. This is called local recurrence. Or the cancer may come back in the lymph nodes near the spot where the tumor first developed. This is called regional recurrence.

Treatment for stage 4 breast cancer may include targeted therapies, hormonal therapies, or immunotherapy. A comprehensive and exhaustive treatment plan may rid your breast tissue and surrounding lymph nodes of cancer.

However, cancer may spread to another organ, such as the liver, brain, or lung. If tests identify the cancer cells in other organs outside the breast as breast cancer cells, it means the cancer has metastasized. Even though cancer is growing in one of those organs, it is still stage 4 breast cancer.

If the cancer cells in one of those organs differ from the breast cancer cells, it indicates two types of cancer. A biopsy can help determine this.

Breast cancer recurrence can be worrying and upsetting.

If you have a breast cancer recurrence and feel overwhelmed and distressed, consider joining a breast cancer support group. Some people find talking with others about their fears and frustrations helpful.

You may find inspiration and companionship in sharing and hearing other people's stories. But if you have depressive symptoms or troubling side effects from the treatment, it's important to talk with your doctor.

You may also be eligible for a clinical trial testing a new procedure or therapy. Clinical trials can't promise success, but they may allow you to try a new treatment before it becomes available. Your doctor can talk with you about clinical trials for breast cancer treatment and help you decide whether this may be an option for you.

Tips for finding a breast cancer support group near you.

What is the longest you can live with stage 4 breast cancer?

There's no cure for stage 4 breast cancer. The 5-year relative survival rate for people with stage 4 breast cancer is 31%, based on women who received a diagnosis of breast cancer between 2013 and 2019.

With advances in treatment, people with metastatic breast cancer are living longer. According to a 2018 study, the median survival time for metastatic breast cancer increased from 21 to 38 months between 1990 and 2010.

Can you live 30 years with metastatic breast cancer?

While some people have been living with stage 4 breast cancer for more than 15 years, the 5-year relative survival rate for women with metastatic breast cancer in the United States is 31%.

A relative survival rate gives an idea of how long someone with a specific condition may live after their diagnosis compared with someone without the condition. For example, a 5-year relative survival rate of 31% means that someone with that condition is 31% as likely to live for 5 years as someone without the condition.

Is there a cure for stage 4 breast cancer?

While there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, it's possible to manage the disease with treatment for a number of years. It's also possible for the cancer to go into remission. It can go into complete remission (when there are no cancer signs or symptoms) or partial remission (when the cancer is still present but has become smaller).

While there's no data on how long remission can last, new treatments can help to control the cancer, relieve symptoms, and allow people to live longer.

What are the odds of surviving stage 4 breast cancer?

Although there's no cure for stage 4 breast cancer, treatments are available, and survival rates continue to improve.

The 5-year relative survival rate for people who have been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer is 31%. This means that, on average, people who have stage 4 breast cancer are about 31% as likely as people who don't have that cancer to live for at least 5 years after receiving a diagnosis.

Living with stage 4 breast cancer is challenging. But cancer treatments are improving every year and can help people manage the cancer better.

People with stage 4 cancer can experience remission when the cancer is no longer detectable. They can also have a recurrence of the cancer, which means it returns.

Being proactive with your health and following your treatment plan is important. It's also important to work closely with your healthcare team and ask all the necessary questions to feel comfortable.

What Is Stage 4 Cancer?

Stage 4 cancer is the final stage of cancer. Cancer staging is a tool to determine how advanced a case of cancer is and how far it has spread. The stages range from 0 to 4. Stage 4 cancer is also referred to as metastatic cancer because it has spread (metastasized) to distant areas of the body from where it started. 

Stage 4 cancer is the most advanced stage of cancer, and a cure is usually not possible. The goal of stage 4 cancer treatment is often to focus on quality of life and relieving symptoms and pain. There are cancer treatments available to stop or slow the growth of stage 4 cancer. 

It is possible to live for years with stage 4 cancer. The symptoms vary depending on the type of cancer. An oncologist (a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer) may treat stage 4 cancer with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, as well as palliative care. 

Cancer staging is an important tool that oncologists and their teams use to determine how advanced a case of cancer is. The stage is determined by several tests, including a physical exam, medical history, imaging studies, blood tests, and other tests.  The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) developed the TNM staging system to determine how advanced cancer is by evaluating the following factors: T for tumor: Measures the size and location of the tumor N for nodes: Determines if cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes (parts of your immune system that carry white blood cells around your body to help fight infection) M for metastasis: Assesses if cancer cells have spread to other areas of the body Cancer spreads by first growing into nearby tissue. It then moves through the walls of lymph nodes or blood vessels. From there, it can travel through the lymphatic system or bloodstream to distant areas of the body. This is what leads to metastasis and stage 4 cancer.  Once your healthcare team assesses your cancerous tumor and determines how far it has spread, they will assign a stage from 0 to 4. This number helps the team determine a treatment plan and prognosis for you. The cancer stages include: Stage 0: Also called carcinoma in situ, abnormal cells are present but have not spread.  Stage 1: Cancer is present but has not grown into nearby tissues. Stage 2: Cancer is present and has grown into nearby tissues. It may have spread to the lymph nodes as well.  Stage 3: Cancer is present and has grown into nearby tissues. It may have spread to the lymph nodes as well. Stage 4: Cancer has spread to distant areas of the body. Any type of cancer can advance to stage 4 but certain types are more aggressive and more likely to spread. In addition, cancer can spread to any area of the body, but more common areas include the bones, liver, and lungs.  Some common types of stage 4 cancer (and where they typically spread) include: Lung cancer: May spread to the adrenal glands, bones, brain, and liver Colon cancer: May spread to the liver, lungs, and peritoneum (the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity)  Pancreatic cancer: May spread to the liver, lungs, and peritoneum  Breast cancer: May spread to the bones, brain, liver, and lungs Prostate cancer: May spread to the adrenal glands, bones, liver, and lungs Uterine cancer: May spread to the bones, liver, lungs, peritoneum, and vagina Melanoma: May spread to the bones, brain, liver, lungs, skin, and muscle The symptoms of stage 4 cancer vary depending on where the cancer started and where it has spread. General symptoms of stage 4 cancer include: Fatigue Weakness Pain  Unintentional weight loss Other symptoms of stage 4 cancer depend on which areas of the body are affected. Symptoms by area of metastasis include: Bones: Bone pain, fractures Brain: Headaches, dizziness, nausea, trouble walking, confusion, seizures Lungs: Shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, coughing up blood Liver: Jaundice, swelling in the abdomen, pain, weight loss  Your oncology team will use several different medical tests to diagnose stage 4 cancer. Diagnostic tests for stage 4 cancer include: Blood tests: A complete blood count (CBC) can be used to measure the number of blood cells and tumor markers to detect cancer cells, as well as others Biopsy: A tissue sample is taken and sent to the lab to look for cancer cells. Endoscopy: A thin tube is inserted into the body to look at an internal organ. X-ray: This is an imaging test that is used to view the bones or internal organs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A test that uses strong magnets to take X-ray pictures at several angles. Computed tomography (CT) scan: This is a radiation test used to locate the tumor and determine its size. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: This is a nuclear scan that locates cancer cells throughout the body and determines the spread There are several treatment options available for stage 4 cancer. Your individual treatment plan will depend on your type of cancer, where it has spread, how advanced it is, your symptoms, and your overall health.  The goal of stage 4 cancer treatment is usually to stop or slow the growth of cancer. Treatment options may include: Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a common treatment for stage 4 cancer. It refers to drugs that kill fast-growing cells, including cancer cells.  Radiation therapy: Your healthcare team may recommend radiation therapy to shrink tumors that are causing pain or troublesome symptoms.  Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy includes medications that target specific proteins or genetic mutations. This can slow the growth of cancer.  Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy works by boosting the immune system's response to cancer cells.  Surgery: Surgery is not usually an option for stage 4 cancer. However, if it is possible to remove cancerous tumors that are causing uncomfortable symptoms, your healthcare team may recommend surgery. For example, a surgeon may remove lung tumors to make breathing easier.  Palliative Care Palliative care is a type of treatment that focuses on improving your quality of life. The goal of palliative care is to extend and improve your life; it is not intended to cure cancer. It is important to note that palliative care is not hospice or end-of-life care. It is possible to receive palliative care while undergoing other treatments meant to cure cancer.  Palliative care can be beneficial for people with stage 4 cancer. Treatment options depend on the type of cancer, how far it has spread, and which treatments have already been tried. One of the main goals of palliative care is to lessen or relieve pain.  In most cases, the prognosis for stage 4 cancer depends on the type of primary cancer. Primary cancer refers to where the cancer originated. For example, if cancer starts in the breast and then spreads to the bones and lungs, it is still considered breast cancer.  In addition to the stage of cancer, other factors that affect prognosis include: Primary cancer Cancer cell traits Age Overall health Which cancer treatments have already been tried  One way to measure cancer prognosis is to determine the 5-year survival rate. This rate estimates the number of people who will survive five years past their diagnosis date. The 5-year survival rates for the following types of stage 4 cancer are: Lung cancer: 9% for non-small cell lung cancer and 3% for small cell lung cancer Colorectal cancer: 22%  Pancreatic cancer: 3%  Breast cancer: 31% Prostate cancer: 34% Uterine (endometrial) cancer: 18% Melanoma: 35% A stage 4 cancer diagnosis changes every area of your life. It is impossible to describe all of the emotions you are likely feeling right now. It is common to feel overwhelmed, angry, sad, and frightened. It is also possible to feel hopeful. No matter how you feel right now, know that it is normal.  Stage 4 cancer causes several major life changes and challenges. It is critical to have a strong support group around you. Your support team may include your family, friends, healthcare providers, and other community members.  Consider asking for support in the following areas:  Treatment decisions: It can be difficult to decide which treatment options to pursue. Talk with your healthcare team and loved ones about your treatment plan frequently.  Daily life: It is common to feel very tired and weak when you have stage 4 cancer. You may need help with activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, and moving around.  Nutritional needs: You may feel too weak or nauseous to eat. Seek support from a dietitian to develop an eating plan. Ask friends or family members for help with preparing meals.  Family responsibilities: If you are caring for children or other family members, you will likely need help with caretaking, driving, and scheduling.  You may find yourself feeling very down and even hopeless at some point during your cancer journey. Seek out emotional and mental health support with: Friends and family: If you feel comfortable, talk with your loved ones about how you're feeling. Mental health professional: Consider meeting with a therapist or counselor to work through your emotions and learn new coping skills.  Peer support group: You may find it helpful to talk with other people who have been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.  Online support: There are several online options for reaching support groups and sharing your journey. The American Cancer Society is a good place to start.  Stage 4 is the most advanced stage of cancer. It occurs when cancer cells spread to distant areas of the body from where they started. Stage 4 cancer is also referred to as metastatic cancer because it has spread (metastasized) to distant areas of the body.  In most cases, stage 4 cancer is not curable. The goal of treatment is usually to relieve pain and improve quality of life. Treatment options for stage 4 cancer may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

Thanks for your feedback!

Lung Cancer News

Sep. 22, 2023 — A novel drug target has been newly identified in the fight against drug resistance in cancer ...

Sep. 21, 2023 — Small cell lung cancer accounts for about 15 percent of all diagnosed lung cancers and is still associated with a high mortality rate. SCLC tumours often develop resistance to chemotherapy and thus ...

Sep. 12, 2023 — An international team of researchers has demonstrated that a combination of inhibitors may suppress tumor growth and prevent relapse in patients with certain cancers, including head and neck squamous ...

Sep. 4, 2023 — Scientists have discovered two new genes that cause head and neck cancer patients to be resistant to chemotherapy, and that silencing either gene can make cancer cells previously unresponsive to ...

Aug. 31, 2023 — Vitamin C and other antioxidants stimulate the formation of new blood vessels in lung cancer tumors, a new study shows. The discovery corroborates the idea that dietary supplements containing ...

Aug. 30, 2023 — Fresh discoveries about a type of immune cells could give lung cancer patients a more accurate prognosis and better identify who will benefit from immunotherapies. Researchers found that the location ...

Aug. 14, 2023 — Patients with localized prostate cancer have a good chance of survival, but mortality rates among those with advanced, metastatic forms of the condition remain high. Until now, the precise mechanism ...

Aug. 9, 2023 — New findings may lead to relapse-free treatment for a sizeable subgroup of lung cancer patients. In a study in mice, scientists have identified a biomarker that may help physicians select lung cancer ...

July 12, 2023 — Cancer therapies that target specific genetic abnormalities in tumors have revolutionized treatment possibilities over the past two decades. While quality of life and survival are improved with ...

July 12, 2023 — Prostate cancer is a leading cause of death among American men, and it's resistant to one of the most powerful chemotherapy medications -- cisplatin. Now, researchers have developed the first ...

June 22, 2023 — Small-cell lung cancer is a particularly aggressive type of tumor with a consistently high mortality rate. In recent years, the research of scientists has significantly contributed to a better ...

Mar. 28, 2023 — Researchers develop a 3D cell culture system to test how inhibiting fibroblast activities can help treat lung cancer. To simulate the tumor microenvironment and mimic real tissues, the team ...

Mar. 17, 2023 — A new study has revealed FDA-approved trametinib and entinostat (which is currently in clinical trials) can be given in tandem to produce fewer and smaller tumors in mice with LKB1-mutated non-small ...

Mar. 15, 2023 — A new study represents a first step towards generating highly detailed 3-dimensional maps of lung tumors using genetically engineered mouse ...

Mar. 13, 2023 — Scientists have discovered why breast cancer cells that have spread to the lungs may 'wake up' following years of sleep -- forming incurable secondary tumors. Their research reveals the ...

Feb. 13, 2023 — Researchers show how stimulating dendritic cells through certain pathways produces strong T cell activity against tumors and works in conjunction with immune checkpoint inhibitors to produce even ...

Feb. 1, 2023 — New data from a clinical trial shows improved rates of survival and reduced risk of recurrence in patients taking osimertinib, a targeted therapy for non-small cell lung cancer ...

Jan. 9, 2023 — A new study found that deleting a gene called KMT2D caused normal (basal) lung cells grown in complex cultures called organoids to transform into lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC) ...

Jan. 4, 2023 — A research team has shown that Sarunashi juice and its constituting component isoquercetin help prevent and reduce lung cancer in laboratory ...

Dec. 26, 2022 — Researchers report that they have developed a new experimental pipeline to combine bacterial therapy with current cancer drugs. Their study, which explores resistance to bacterial therapy at the ...

---