Colon cancer UICC stage 4 | Stages of colon cancer and their prognosis

Colon cancer UICC stage 4

Stage 4 is the final stage of colon cancer. Bowel cancer is classified as stage 4 when the tumour has metastasised (spread to other organs). Stage 4 is further divided into stages 4a and 4b.

In stage 4a, only one other organ is affected by metastases, whereas in stage 4b metastases have been found in at least two other organs. It is irrelevant how large the actual intestinal cancer is. This is because the presence of metastases means that tumour cells have already spread in the body, making the cancer very destructive.

The division of stage 4 into 4a and 4b is important for further treatment. In stage 4a, surgery is performed with removal of the metastases as far as possible. In stage 4b the medical possibilities are very limited.

Unfortunately, intestinal cancer is no longer curable. As the intestinal cancer in stage 4 is already well advanced, the chances of cure are unfortunately much worse than in the other stages. In stage 4a the survival rate after 5 years is 5-10%.

The therapy is very intensive and requires a lot of strength from the patients. The colon cancer and the metastases are removed in an operation. However, it is not always possible to remove the metastases or the cancer completely by surgery.

Frequently, intestinal cancer spreads to the liver. Here, the metastases can usually be easily removed as long as sufficient intact liver tissue remains. In addition to surgery, intensive radiation and chemotherapy are also necessary in stage 4 in order to prevent the risk of tumour recurrence and the appearance of new metastases.

Most recurrences occur in the first two years after treatment. In stage 4b, intestinal cancer is unfortunately no longer curable. Only a palliative therapy is carried out.

This means that drugs are used to improve the patient’s quality of life and to alleviate symptoms caused by the disease, such as pain. The survival rate after 5 years is less than 5% for stage 4b.