How long can I live with metastatic cancer?

A patient with widespread metastasis or with metastasis to the lymph nodes has a life expectancy of less than six weeks. A patient with metastasis to the brain has a more variable life expectancy (one to 16 months) depending on the number and location of lesions and the specifics of treatment.

Can you live a long time with metastatic cancer?

In most cases, metastatic cancer is not curable. However, treatment can slow growth and ease many of the associated symptoms. It's possible to live for several years with some types of cancer, even after it has metastasized. Some types of metastatic cancer are potentially curable, including melanoma and colon cancer.

Can you live 5 years with metastatic cancer?

The 5-year survival rate tells you what percent of people live at least 5 years after the cancer is found. Percent means how many out of 100. The 5-year survival rate for women with metastatic breast cancer is 29%. The 5-year survival rate for men with metastatic breast cancer is 22%.

Do people ever survive metastatic cancer?

In the past, many people did not live long with metastatic cancer. Even with today's better treatments, recovery is not always possible. But doctors can often treat cancer even if they cannot cure it. A good quality of life is possible for months or even years.

Is metastasis always stage 4?

Metastatic cancer occurs when cancer cells spread from the organ where they started to a distant part of the body. Metastatic cancers are considered stage 4.

Jenny's Journey: Living With Metastatic Breast Cancer

Are all metastatic cancers terminal?

In some situations, metastatic cancer can be cured. But for most metastatic cancers, treatment does not cure the cancer but it can slow its growth and reduce symptoms. It is possible to live for many months or years with certain types of cancer, even after the development of metastatic disease.

How does metastasis cause death?

When cancer metastasizes, usually when it is considered stage 4 cancer, it spreads to a different part of the body. Metastasis can impair the function of essential organs and body systems (digestion, lungs, bones, liver, blood vessels), which can cause essential body functions to cease.

Can you live 10 years with metastatic cancer?

However, survival varies greatly from person to person. About one-third of women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in the U.S. live at least 5 years after diagnosis [7]. Some women may live 10 or more years beyond diagnosis [9].

Can cancer metastasis be stopped?

There are treatments for most types of metastatic cancer. Often, the goal of treating metastatic cancer is to control it by stopping or slowing its growth. Some people can live for years with metastatic cancer that is well controlled. Other treatments may improve the quality of life by relieving symptoms.

Can chemo get rid of metastatic cancer?

Chemo is considered a systemic treatment because the drugs travels throughout the body, and can kill cancer cells that have spread (metastasized) to parts of the body far away from the original (primary) tumor.

Can metastatic cancer go into remission?

Metastatic breast cancer may never go away completely. But treatment can control its spread. Cancer may even go into remission at some points. This means you have fewer signs and symptoms of cancer.

What is the last stage of metastatic cancer?

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.

How painful is metastatic cancer?

Depending upon the location of the metastasis, the pain may vary. Bone metastasis patients often describe the pain as gradually increasing over a period of time and becoming more severe. Patients with metastases to the spinal cord often have pain or discomfort that is worse at night or with bed rest.

How long can you live with metastatic Stage 4 cancer?

Patients diagnosed in stage 4 who decide against treatment live an average of six months. Those diagnosed with stage 1A disease who elect no treatment live an average of two years. Survival without treatment depends on stage, health and tumor growth.

Can you survive stage 4 metastasized cancer?

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. A few factors to keep in mind: Many treatments are available to help fight cancer.

Can Stage 4 metastatic cancer go away?

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.

How fast does metastatic cancer grow?

Most malignant tumors that metastasize do so within five years after the primary tumor has been detected, so this raises the question of how one can explain “dormancy” among tumor cells for decades.

What makes cancer spread faster?

As the cancer grows, it squeezes and blocks small blood vessels in the area. Low blood and oxygen levels cause some of the normal tissue to die off. This makes it easier for the cancer to continue to push its way through.

What happens if a cancer becomes metastatic?

Metastatic cancer is a cancer that has spread from the part of the body where it started (the primary site) to other parts of the body. When cancer cells break away from a tumor, they can travel to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or the lymph system.

How do you live with metastatic cancer?

People with metastatic breast cancer are encouraged to follow established guidelines for good health, such as not smoking, limiting alcohol, eating well, and managing stress. In addition, it is important to have recommended medical checkups and tests to take care of your health.

How long can you have metastatic cancer without knowing?

If you're wondering how long you can have cancer without knowing it, there's no straight answer. Some cancers can be present for months or years before they're detected. Some commonly undetected cancers are slow-growing conditions, which gives doctors a better chance at successful treatment.

Is metastasis a death sentence?

Metastatic breast cancer is not an automatic death sentence. Although most people will ultimately die of their disease, some will live for many years.

Which organ gets the most metastasis?

The liver is the most common site of distant metastasis in solid tumors.

What triggers metastasis?

Cancer metastasizes due to several factors, namely attack by the immune system, lack of oxygen and necessary nutrients, large amounts of lactic acid produced by glycolysis and increased cell death. Therefore, the majority of the presently available treatments for cancer also bear the potential to induce metastasis.

Is metastatic the same as terminal?

This is also called end-stage cancer or terminal cancer. (Sometimes terminal cancer is called metastatic cancer, but they aren't always the same thing. To learn more, see Metastatic Cancer: When Cancer Spreads.) The following sections are specific to those with end-stage cancer.