What is Metastasis?

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to new areas of the body (often by way of the lymph system or bloodstream). Cancers in an advanced stage have often metastasized to many places throughout the body, are affecting vital organs, or can't be removed. The liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and bones are common areas of spread or metastasis.

What is Recurrence?

When the same cancer resurfaces in the body after a period of time following treatment and remission (in which the cancer could not be detected), it is called a recurrence, or recurrent cancer. A recurrence is a regrowth of the original disease. Cancer cells can return to the same place where the cancer first originated, or they can migrate to other parts of the body.

Treatment for Advanced Cancer

Advanced cancer usually occurs after you have had cancer for some time, or if your current treatments are no longer preventing the progression of the cancer. While advanced cancer poses a more significant treatment challenge, it can mean something different today than it did even 10 years ago. Thus, having advanced cancer does not mean you are without options and hope.

Advanced cancer can sometimes be controlled with treatments that attempt to slow the growth or spread of cancer. Treatment depends on the type of cancer, where it started, the size and location of the metastasis, and other factors.

Typically, cancer that has spread requires systemic therapy. Systemic therapy refers to medications given by mouth or injected into the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body, such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Other treatments may include biological therapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or a combination of these.

Even if the cancer has stopped responding to treatment, many therapies can ease side effects and provide you with a much better quality of life, for a longer period of time. Palliative treatments, which can be the same treatments used to treat cancer, aim to relieve symptoms and side effects. For instance, radiation therapy may help lessen pain caused by a tumor; and medications can help prevent nausea and fatigue.

Everyone is Different

Advanced cancer is not the same for everyone. For some, the cancer is already advanced when they first learn about the disease. Others may develop advanced cancer after years of treatment. Even the same type of cancer can grow at different rates and respond differently to the same treatments. Therefore, a statistic can’t tell you what’s going to happen in your situation. Also, each person faced with advanced cancer will cope differently.

Coping With Advanced Cancer

Facing advanced cancer may make you wonder about your future. You may be disappointed in your health care team, or blame yourself for past treatment decisions or lifestyle choices. You may worry about losing control of your life and becoming dependent on other people. These feelings are all normal.

When dealing with advanced cancer the following questions may surface:

• What is going to happen to me?
• Will I be in a lot of pain?
• What are my options?
• What if I feel that I can't handle more treatment?
• How will my loved ones cope with the news?
• What am I going to do about finances?
• What will happen to my loved ones in the future?

Everyone handles advanced cancer differently. It is normal to feel sad at times, but you don’t have to feel down all the time. There is room for happiness even with advanced cancer. It is important to remember that you are still in control of your choices and actions. You may discover that this can be a time of personal growth, renewed relationships, and second chances.

NOTE: WITH ADVANCED CANCER, IT IS NORMAL TO EXPERIENCE STRONG EMOTIONS. HOWEVER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR HEALTH CARE TEAM INFORMED ABOUT HOW YOU ARE FEELING.

Tips for Coping With Advanced Cancer

• Acceptance. Feelings of guilt are common in families dealing with advanced cancer. You may feel guilty about being ill or being a burden on your loved ones. Your loved ones may feel guilty about not knowing how to help you. Try not to blame yourselves. Instead, try to accept the situation and use your inner strength to move forward.
• Decide what is best for you. With advanced cancer, your treatment goals may change. You have a right to decide what is best for you, even if some decisions may be difficult for others to accept. You may or may not decide to pursue aggressive treatment. Think about what is important to you now and communicate your priorities to your cancer team and your loved ones.
• Set goals. Think about how to live your life as fully and best as possible. While you may prefer to focus on the present and take it one day at a time, it can help to set small goals for each day, such as taking a walk, making a phone call, having lunch with a friend, reading a chapter of a book, etc. Finding small things in life to look forward to each day can help you feel more productive and fulfilled.
• Manage your symptoms. The symptoms of advanced cancer can be a challenge. Physical symptoms can cause a lot of discomfort and can impact your quality of life. It is essential that you work with your cancer team to manage side effects, such as pain, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, etc. Improving physical symptoms can also improve your mood, stress level, and overall well being.
• Share with your loved ones. Having advanced cancer can make you feel alone sometimes, even in the company of others. It's better to express your feelings rather than hold them in. Sharing with your loved ones can bring you comfort and help you make sense of things. You may want to write down your thoughts, memories, lessons learned, or other things that are meaningful to share with your loved ones.
• Anticipate changes in the family. Advanced cancer changes the way family members relate to one another. Roles within the family change when you relinquish some tasks and other family members take on new tasks. These changes in family roles can be upsetting for both you and your loved ones. Find ways to work together and communicate your feelings so you can better adjust.
• Plan ahead. Even when you are healthy, it helps to be prepared and make provisions for your family if the worst happens. Although it’s difficult to talk about these issues, if you have not already done so, you may decide to update your affairs through an advance directive or living will. Planning ahead can also help you worry less about the future, take control of the situation, and protect those you love most.
• Seek emotional support. Feeling lost and afraid is completely normal during this time. It is important to find support so you can express these feelings. Aside from family and friends, share your feelings and concerns with others who are dealing with advanced cancer. In addition to support groups, you may also decide to seek private counseling with a mental health professional.
• Nurture your spiritual well being. Advanced cancer can make you think about your beliefs. You may want to understand your purpose, or you may want to forgive yourself or others for past actions. Spirituality can be a source of strength and peace. Prayer, meditation, spending time in nature, writing in a journal, volunteer work, and meeting with a spiritual counselor are just a few of the ways you can nurture your spiritual well being.
• Make the most of each day. Try to participate in activities that matter most to you. Creative outlets, such as drawing, painting, music, and poetry can help you express yourself, relieve stress, and get your mind off cancer. You could also keep a journal, read a book, watch a funny movie or TV show, go fishing, garden, play cards, do crossword puzzles, make a scrapbook, do relaxation exercises or yoga, and spend time with family and friends.
• Stay hopeful. Advanced cancer can change the way you look at life. It's important to stay hopeful. While what you hope for may change over time, hope can give you a sense of purpose and motivate you. You may have hope for relief from symptoms and slowing down the growth of the cancer, or hope for peace, acceptance, and good times with family and friends.

NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH PROVIDER PRIOR TO MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR CANCER TREATMENT AND CARE.

If you or a loved one is fighting advanced cancer, you are not alone. Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) will fight with you every step of the way.

As a patient at CTCA, you will work with a team of cancer experts across multiple disciplines. Our doctors specialize in many forms of cancer, including complex and advanced diseases. Here, we think outside of the box. Our doctors employ the latest cancer treatments and technologies to provide you with powerful and thorough treatment options.

In addition to new and innovative therapies for advanced cancer, we also understand the importance of your quality of life. While your oncologists provide cutting-edge conventional treatments, the other members of your care team will deliver complementary medicine therapies, such as nutrition therapy, naturopathic medicine, pain management, mind-body medicine, and spiritual support. These therapies help to reduce symptoms, such as pain, nausea, and fatigue, so you can continue to participate in activities that are meaningful to you.

CTCA is a network of cancer hospitals unlike any other. Here, patients, staff and families come together to support each other. Your CTCA care team understands that your goals and needs in dealing with advanced cancer are unique. We provide options, experts, and quality care to support you in whatever decisions are best for you.

I hope this information has helped you in some way. I will check in with you again next month. In the meantime, stay strong and hopeful.