It may be hard to think and talk about cancer that has spread or that may no longer be responding to treatment. Everyone with cancer hopes that their cancer will be cured, but this is not always possible.
You may still get cancer treatment, but the goal may no longer be to cure the cancer. At this time care often focuses on ways to control the cancer and the symptoms it causes so you can enjoy life and feel as good as possible as long as possible.
Doctors diagnose advanced cancer based on things like:
- How much cancer is present
- How far the cancer has spread
- How much the cancer has affected your physical condition
- Whether there is any effective treatment for the cancer
Here we will try to help you better understand what advanced cancer is, what you can expect if it happens, and what can be done for it. Talk to your cancer care team about any questions or concerns you have. They are best able to help you understand your situation, as well as your cancer type, stage, treatment, and likely outcomes. You are still in control of what happens during this time.
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