What Is Stage 4 Cancer?
A cancer is considered to be Stage 4 when it has spread to other organs or parts of the body. Stage 4 cancer can also be referred to as metastatic or advanced cancer. Cancer that has reached stage 4 usually cannot be cured with localized treatments unless the metastasis has only spread to one specific location which is accessible for treatment.
When a cancer metastasizes to a different part of the body, it’s still defined by its original location. For instance, if breast cancer metastasizes to the lungs, it’s still considered to be breast cancer, not lung cancer. Some stage 4 cancers include subcategories such as stage IVA (4A) or stage IVB, (4B) which are used to classify the degree to which the cancer has spread throughout the body.
The medical world uses different staging systems to determine the extent of a patient’s cancer. Most hospitals and medical centers use the TNM system as their main method for cancer reporting.
In the TNM system:
- The T refers to the size and extent of the primary tumor
- The N refers to the number of nearby lymph nodes that have cancer
- The M refers to whether or not the cancer has metastasized.
What Does It Mean When You Get a Stage 4 Prognosis?
For many types of cancer, a stage 4 prognosis is considered to be an “incurable” one by conventional medicine, but it’s important to remember that stage 4 disease is different for every person. Metastatic breast cancer is different from metastatic lung cancer, and so on. Despite its grim prognosis, you can find several testimonials of stage 4 cancer patients who have been in remission following alternative treatment here.
What is the Advantage of Undergoing Stage 4 Cancer Treatments at an Alternative Clinic?
When a patient is told that their stage 4 cancer is incurable, it’s likely that the only treatment plans offered by conventional medicine will involve harsh treatments that cannot cure cancer and, more often than not, will have a severe impact on the patient’s quality of life.
Holistic treatments focus on the patient, not the tumor. Alternative clinics offer multiple protocols that are not available readily elsewhere and tend to approach treatment plans holistically, addressing the body as a whole with therapies and procedures that are gentle and involve little to no side effects. Attention is placed on both the body and mind, with the understanding that a tumor is heavily affected by its environment, which must be addressed as well.
Stage 4 Cancer Treatments
Conventional methods of dealing with a stage 4 diagnosis can vary based on the type of cancer. They and can include high-dosage chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, surgery, hormone therapy (if applicable), or some combination of these.
Alternative treatment plans for stage 4 cancer are curated to strengthen the body and build up the immune system. They also vary based on the patient’s specific diagnosis and medical history, but can include treatments such as medical cannabis, Stem cell therapy, hyperthermia, high dose vitamin C, Dendritic cell therapy, Vitamin B17 and many more.
While some of these treatments have helped people beat a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, not all are approved by the FDA (such as B17), and others are still under research (such as cannabis and cryotherapy for internal tumors.)
To see a list of alternative clinics that treat stage 4 cancer, click here.
Some patients choose to combine conventional treatments alongside alternative ones, or use conventional methods in unconventional ways. One example of this would be to receive targeted, low dose chemotherapy while using alternative therapies to help counter the harsh side effects that come with chemo.
There are many options available to the patient, some of which can be done at home. To learn more about at-home treatment plans for stage 4 cancer, click here.
FAQ’s about Stage 4 Cancer Treatments at Alternative and Integrative Clinics
Ø Can an alternative clinic cure my stage 4 cancer?
According to some clinics, Stage 4 cancer treatment patients at their clinics have experienced more effective results than those of patients that have only been treated with conventional medical treatments. It is, however, difficult to provide accurate statistics. Read more about this here.
Ø What are the costs of stage 4 cancer treatments at a clinic?
Treatments can range anywhere from $7,000 – $20,000 a week. It’s usually advised to start with about 3 weeks at a clinic, followed by an at-home guided protocol.
Ø Will I be able to use my health insurance?
Most insurances do not cover alternative medicine treatments. Some clinics however, do work with private insurances. If you’d like us to look into that for you, contact us here.
Ø How can I choose the best clinic for my condition?
Read reviews! And we can help as well. Our advisors have visited many clinics and spoke in person with many patients. Contact us here, and an advisor will reach out to you within 24 hours.
