Complications
They are caused by the local growth of the tumor or the respective metastases, such as
- Thrombosis
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Vertebral body fracture
- High blood pressure
- Uvm.
Prognosis
Patient survival is primarily dependent on the tumor stage. 60 – 90% of patients in stage I survive at least 5 years, whereas less than 20% survive in stage IV. A low degree of differentiation of the tumor tissue (i.e. can one still see under the microscope what kind of tissue is degenerated) and a poor general condition of the patient also have an unfavorable effect on the prognosis.
However, there are repeated reports of patients who have recovered spontaneously (spontaneous remission) or in whom the disease has remained stable for years. Here, an influence of the patient’s own immune system is suspected, which has led and probably will lead to many treatment approaches that build on these immunological effects.