Stage IV
What is stage IV colorectal cancer?
In stage IV (metastatic) colorectal cancer, the cancer has been carried through the lymph and blood systems to distant parts of the body. The most likely organs to develop metastasis from colorectal cancer are the lungs and liver.
Colon cancer
Stage IV colon cancer is divided into three categories.
Rectal cancer
Stage IV rectal cancer is divided into three categories.
Treatment for stage IV colorectal cancer
Stage IV colorectal cancer treatment may include any of the following:
- Surgery to remove or reduce the size of the cancer in the colon or rectum, or to remove cancer that has grown on other organs, such as the liver, lungs, prostate, or ovaries.
- Radiation or chemotherapyto relieve symptoms as part of palliative care.
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Clinical trials
Cancer that has spread to the liver
The liver is the most common site of metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer, due to the blood supply that exists between the large intestine and the liver.
There are a number of therapies that use chemotherapy, ablation, radiation, cryotherapy, and other approaches to reduce or remove liver metastases.
Many of these therapies are minimally invasive and have a short recovery time.
First steps
A stage IV (metastatic) colorectal cancer diagnosis can leave you with many questions. Here are some first steps to consider.
Top ten questions to ask your doctor
Some guidelines for the right questions as a newly diagnosed patient.
Explore clinical trials
Finding a clinical trial can be intimidating, but we are here to help you explore your options and help you prepare a list of trials to take to your doctor.
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Clinical trials: where do you start?
Try our clinical trial finderTop resources
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