Becoming involved in a colon cancer support community—ideally, one in which you can communicate with other people coping with stage 4 cancer—not only offers a source of support but can be invaluable in learning about the latest research on the disease. The elderly, patients who are sick aside from their cancer, and very young children have the lowest life expectancy. If you are at this point in your journey, make sure to ask a lot of questions, and carefully contemplate the answers. Of course, even with these variables, survival can vary considerably based on other medical conditions you may have, the specific treatments you receive, and the molecular profile of your tumor. The current 5-year survival rate for stage 4 colon cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, is 14%. Once treatments meant to halt colon cancer are no longer working, and is considered terminal, it is important to know what to expect. Your doctor may give you a range of time that they expect you will live. Life expectancy at stage 4 colon cancer. Physical signs and symptoms of burnout can include:Emotional signs and symptoms of burnout can include:It’s important for caregivers to take care of their own health as well, and ask for support and guidance when needed. With recent advances in cancer treatment, and many new cancer drugs, such as targeted therapies and immunotherapy being studied in clinical trials, as well as treatments for oligometastatic (for example, colon cancer metastases to the liver) these numbers are expected to change. When cancer invaded other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs, a condition known as colon cancer stage 4, which is the most advanced stage of cancer. Clear answers for common questions Where within the body the primary cancer has spread will also play a role in survival and treatment. Other family members may find this information very upsetting. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Knowing your options regarding information sharing about your cancer, your treatment decisions, and end of life care decisions will help you move forward at a difficult time. If you talk to someone, perhaps a neighbor or another family member, who dealt with colon cancer in the past, the approach to treatment may be very different now. Every colon cancer is different, and each person's body, including other medical conditions and general health, is different. Sign up and get your guide!Massaut E, Bohlok A, Lucidi V, Hendlisz A, Klastersky JA, Donckier V. This is wonderful in many ways, but unlike the past, people need to be a very active part of their cancer care team. Occasionally, someone with progressed and aggressive cancer will go into a As trite as it sounds, a positive outlook can also extend the life of someone with stage 4 cancer. Verywell Health uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Look at Valerie Harper. These figures are estimates of how long people with a certain type of cancer and stage might live. Be honest about your needs and seek the support of friends and family you trust.Many lung cancer treatments have uncomfortable or concerning side effects. Unfortunately, for most people, stage 4 colon cancer is not considered curable. You are never "penalized" for choosing hospice care too soon, and at that time you could choose to renew your hospice care for another six months if needed. The most common site to which colon cancer spreads is the liver (liver metastases) but it may also spread to the lungs, the brain, and the peritoneum, the membranes which surround the abdominal cavity, as well as other areas. She was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and is now almost in remission. This is their best guess, which is based on your particular case and on your doctor's medical experience. Some people want very specific information regarding how long they might live with stage 4 colon cancer. The overall five year survival rate for testicular cancer patients with stage four disease is 95%. Hepatic artery infusion is a type of regional chemotherapy, which involves delivering a chemotherapy drug directly into the hepatic artery in the liver. Even if you want as much information as possible, keep in mind that predicting how long someone will live with stage 4 colon cancer is not exact. While we have better treatments than in the past, and sometimes can even treat metastases, we know that many people with stage 4 colon cancer will reach a time at which the risks and side effects of treatment outweigh the benefits. Take some time to learn about how to research your cancer online. These newer treatments can extend life and provide options not available just a few short years ago. By definition, stage 4 colon cancers are those which have traveled beyond the colon (metastasized). Some cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, have a very short expected survival rate while others, such as testicular cancer, may have a … Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RDN, is an award-winning registered dietitian and epidemiologist, as well as an expert in cancer prevention and management.