Best Advanced Cancer Hospital in Mumbai

Best Advanced Cancer Hospital in Mumbai

Advanced Cancer: Is It Treatable? Common Symptoms, Prognosis and What You Can Do When Treatments Stop Working

Learning that you or a family member has advanced cancer can be devastating.  Just as cancer impacts your physical health, this life-altering experience can cause a wide range of intense emotions, requiring significant adjustments. But treatments can help control some types of advanced cancer, allowing patients to live longer. At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our world-renowned experts can diagnose and treat all types and stages of cancer, including the rarest and most complex forms, utilizing cutting-edge technology for better patient outcomes. As one of India’s best cancer hospitals, we strive to transform care through innovative treatment, research, and education.

Why Choose Fortis Hospital, Mulund, for Advanced Cancer?

At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, patients have access to the most advanced cancer detection and treatment options provided by some of the nation’s leading cancer specialists. Every year, thousands of people with advanced cancer come to our center to receive world-class treatment and care tailored to their exact needs and cancer types. 

Our Comprehensive Cancer Centre, known for compassionate care and excellent patient outcomes, offers special services and resources to support patients and their families, with physical, emotional, and practical challenges associated with an advanced cancer diagnosis. We are committed to providing the highest quality of care.

The term ‘advanced cancer’ is diverse and can have different meanings. Terms like ‘advanced’, ‘metastatic’, and ‘stage 4’ are often used interchangeably - although they are related, they don’t mean the same thing. To help you better understand these concepts, this article explains what exactly advanced cancer is, when cancers are considered metastatic, the signs and symptoms, the different treatment options, prognosis, and what else can be done when treatments are no longer effective.

What is Advanced Cancer?

Advanced cancer, or advanced stage cancer, refers to cancer that has spread or recurred after the initial treatment. It is a term often used to describe cancers that are highly unlikely to be cured. Even if a cure is not possible, some advanced cancers can be managed with ongoing treatment, enabling patients to have a good quality of life for months or, sometimes, years. In some cases, a few may even be cured.

Doctors typically describe advanced cancer, depending on the size and location, as:

• Locally advanced cancer – the cancer has grown from its original site into nearby tissues or lymph nodes, but it hasn’t yet spread to distant parts of the body. Some types of cancers, such as locally advanced breast and prostate cancers, may be potentially curable with proper treatment, whereas other types, such as some locally advanced brain cancers, even without metastasis, are not considered curable due to their location and threat to life.
• Metastatic or secondary cancer – cancer that has spread from its original or primary location to other, often distant, parts of the body. It may also be referred to as stage 4 cancer, depending on the type of cancer. 

It may be noted that metastatic cancers are not always considered ‘advanced’. Some metastatic cancers, such as testicular cancer, may have spread elsewhere in the body and still have a high chance of being cured. 

Cancers that cannot be cured or managed with treatment are called end-stage cancer or terminal cancer. People with terminal cancer may be given supportive care to help control their symptoms and keep them as comfortable as possible during the final stages of life.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Advanced Cancer?

Advanced cancers, as they progress, can cause a range of symptoms, depending on the size and the location where the cancer has spread. Sometimes, advanced or metastatic cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms. That is why some people are told that they have advanced cancer when they are first diagnosed.

Some of the common symptoms of advanced cancer include:

• Persistent pain in the area where cancer has spread
• Feeling extremely tired or weak (fatigue)
• Shortness of breath – when cancer spreads to the lungs
• Headache, dizziness, seizures, or vision problems – when cancer spreads to the brain
• Abdominal swelling, jaundice – if cancer has spread to the liver
• Bone fractures, even from everyday activities or minor injuries – when cancer spreads to the bone
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Sleeping problems
• A new lump or swollen lymph node

Having these symptoms does not always mean you have advanced cancer, as other conditions can cause them. However, discuss any concerning symptoms with your doctor or care team so that the underlying cause can be identified and treated quickly, if necessary.

What are the Treatment Options for Advanced Cancer?

Treatment for advanced cancer focuses on controlling the cancer as long as possible so that you can live longer and have a good quality of life. The main goal is to shrink the cancer’s size or slow its growth for a long period of time, which may range from months to years. Even when a cure is not possible, treatments can help relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. 

At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our multidisciplinary team of cancer experts who specialise in different aspects of your care will discuss treatment options, weighing the benefits and drawbacks, with you and your family to decide on a plan that best suits your unique condition and needs. 

The choices for treatment will depend on the cancer type, how far it has spread, and the severity of the symptoms. Managing advanced cancer often involves a combination of treatments, which may include:

• Chemotherapy – to kill cancer cells that have spread or slow their growth, using powerful drugs.
• Hormonal therapy – this approach uses synthetic hormones to help slow down the spread of cancer cells by reducing the amount of hormones that promote tumour growth. Also known as endocrine therapy, it is particularly effective for certain hormone-sensitive cancers, such as advanced breast and prostate cancer.
• Immunotherapy – it uses the body’s own immune system to find and kill cancer cells. There are different types of immunotherapy, such as monoclonal antibodies and CAR-T cell therapy, and each type uses immune system and works in a different way.
• Targeted therapy – these therapies work by targeting specific features, changes, or substances in or on cancer cells that help cancer cells grow and survive. This treatment involves using different drugs to stop the growth and spread of cancer, while limiting damage to healthy cells.
• Radiation therapy – this approach uses a controlled dose of high-energy radiation, which can be precisely delivered to the affected areas, to kill cancer cells or control their growth. Also called radiotherapy, it can also help relieve symptoms like pain or cure cancer that is localised and detected in its early stages.
• Surgery (in some cases) – sometimes, surgery may be used to remove tumours from the affected areas, or reduce the size of the cancer to improve outcomes from other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It can also be used to help relieve symptoms and treatment side effects.

What If Your Cancer Treatments Stop Working?

Sometimes, your current cancer treatments may become ineffective, or you may find it difficult to handle the side effects, or you may have a relapse after a successful treatment. This can be the most challenging time in your cancer journey, knowing your cancer is no longer responding to the treatments available. But, you should know that there’s still room for hope, and it’s, perhaps, a time to make decisions about future care and focus on what matters most. 

Making decisions about further treatment

You might want to consider whether to continue treatment, even if it could mean shortening your life - especially if there is no benefit or the potential benefits are outweighed by side effects. However, it’s important to trust your doctor or care team and discuss all options with them and your loved ones before deciding to refuse further treatment. Whether it’s about seeking a second opinion or trying a new treatment like joining a clinical trial, talking through and understanding all your options, including the risks and benefits, can help you and your doctor decide what’s best for you. 

What else can you do?

Even if you decide to stop treatment, there are still choices you can make to help you feel as good as you can. Options may include:

• Palliative care – This specialized care can help relieve pain and other symptoms of cancer. Palliative care can be given at any stage of cancer alongside other treatments like chemotherapy. The main goal of this treatment is to improve the quality of life for patients and their families by managing symptoms and side effects, rather than curing the cancer itself.
• Supportive care – A crucial component of cancer care, supportive care focuses on improving the quality of life for patients and their families. It involves addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. It also provides crucial guidance for future planning, empowering patients and their loved ones to make informed decisions about end-of-life care and treatment preferences.
• Hospice care – This form of specialized care can help you manage your symptoms and improve the quality of life. Hospice care might help, especially if you’ve decided to stop seeking active treatment.
• Complementary therapies – Research suggests that complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, and meditation can be beneficial in managing the various physical and emotional effects of cancer and its treatments. For instance, yoga and meditation can provide relief from stress and anxiety, while acupuncture and hypnotherapy may help with nausea and vomiting. Complementary therapies can be used in combination with other cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

What is the Prognosis for Advanced Cancer?

The prognosis for advanced cancer widely varies from person to person, depending on multiple factors, such as the type of cancer, how much it has spread, how well the treatments are working, and the individual’s age and general health. While some people with advanced cancer can live for years with ongoing treatment, others find it harder to control not just their cancer but also pre-existing health issues, resulting in lower survival rates. 

As each person’s cancer is unique, your doctor can provide an estimate of your likely treatment outcomes based on the experiences of other people in your situation. 

Takeaway

A diagnosis of advanced cancer can be extremely challenging for both individuals diagnosed and their families, but it doesn’t mean there are no options. Some types of advanced cancer can be controlled for a long time with treatments, helping patients live for years – and, sometimes, a few cases can be cured with aggressive treatments. Even when advanced cancer cannot be cured or controlled with treatments, there are options to improve physical and emotional symptoms, helping patients feel comfortable towards the end of their lives. The good news is, new and improved treatments are constantly available, leading to better patient outcomes and increased survival rates.

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with advanced cancer, make sure to ask your doctor what this means for you in your specific case, because no two individuals are alike. Whether or not your cancer can be controlled with treatment, it’s important to have open and thorough discussions with your doctor and family about your options, including what to expect from treatment and outcomes. 

At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our cancer specialists are here to guide you and your family throughout your cancer journey.