The stage of cancer tells doctors how big the tumor is and whether it has spread. Doctors use different staging systems for different types of cancers.
For instance, blood cancers such as leukemia or multiple myeloma have their own system for staging. When talking with a person who has stage 4 cancer, try to avoid asking personal questions about their lab results or prognosis.
Symptoms depend on where cancer has spread to in your body. Most cancer stages are described using a system called TNM (Tumor, Nodes, Metastases). Each stage is given a number from 1 to 4. Stage 0 describes early and small tumors that have not spread. Stages 1, 2 and 3 describe larger cancers that have grown deeper into nearby tissue but have not spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Cancer that has spread to other organs is called stage 4 and it’s also known as advanced or metastatic cancer.
X-rays, scans and biopsied tissues provide doctors with information about cancers and how they have developed. Doctors use this data to decide on a treatment plan for each patient.
If cancer has spread to your lungs, you may have a dry cough or feel a heaviness in the chest. Lung cancer that has spread to the brain might cause headaches, nausea or a change in your personality. Cancer that has spread to your bones might cause pain, particularly when it presses on a nerve or bone. It might also break apart and form new tumors elsewhere in your body.
Most people in stage 4 cancer experience fatigue and weakness. They often lose weight and want to sleep a lot. This stage of cancer isn’t curable but it can be treated to slow its progression and alleviate symptoms. Your health care team will talk with you about treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. They might also suggest palliative care.
Cancer staging is used to help healthcare providers develop treatment plans. It helps them determine what type of treatment is likely to work best and how successful that treatment will be.
The first step in staging is clinical staging, which is based on information from your doctor’s physical exams and medical history, and the results of any x-rays or scans you have had done. Your doctor will also use information from any biopsy of the tumor or lymph nodes that have been taken. This will give your doctor an initial idea of how far the cancer has spread, which they will then use to create a pathological staging score.
In stage 2, cancer cells have spread deeper into neighboring tissue and possibly into lymph nodes, but it hasn’t yet reached distant sites in the body. This is also known as early locally advanced cancer or stage 3 cancer.
Stage 4 cancer, sometimes called metastatic cancer, occurs when cancer has spread from its original site to distant parts of the body. It may be discovered in these locations years after the original diagnosis and after the primary cancer site has been treated or removed.
A person’s prognosis at stage 4 depends on what type of cancer they have and how it has progressed, but in most cases the disease isn’t curable by this point. This is especially true if the cancer has spread to bones or other organs.
The goal of chemotherapy is to shrink or eliminate cancerous cells, either in the area where the tumor is located or elsewhere in the body. Chemotherapy can be combined with other treatments, such as radiation or surgery. It can also be used to control symptoms, such as pain or nausea, for people with advanced cancer.
Some people in this stage of the disease may choose to take part in palliative care, which is designed to improve comfort and ease stress. These services are often available through healthcare providers or at community-based centers that specialize in this type of treatment. These services can include massage, acupuncture and other methods to reduce pain.
When cancer cells grow out of control, they build up and form a tumor. These cancerous cells can then spread to other parts of the body and become metastatic. Stage 4 is the most advanced stage of cancer, and it’s hard to be cured at this point.
Doctors use a system called the TNM score to help them determine how severe the cancer is. T stands for the tumor’s size and N indicates whether or not it has spread to nearby lymph nodes. If the cancer has not spread, it is stage 0 or stage 1. If the tumor has grown deeply into nearby tissues or has spread to other organs, it’s in stages 2 through 4.
In some cases, doctors may have to determine a cancer’s grade, which tells them how quickly it might grow. This involves examining the cancerous tissue under a microscope to see how much it looks like healthy tissue. Doctors can also determine the grade of a tumor using imaging tests.
The final stage, M, indicates if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, known as metastasizing. It’s important to remember that when doctors describe your prognosis, they’re talking about averages. Your specific situation will depend on many different factors, including the type of cancer and where it has spread.
If a person has stage 4 lung cancer, for example, it’s likely that the cancer will have spread to other parts of the body by the time they receive their diagnosis. That’s because this is the most advanced stage of the disease, reports the American Cancer Society. The spread of the cancer is usually referred to as metastasis.
Sometimes, doctors can treat a patient’s stage 4 cancer by removing the sites of the tumor or by using drugs that starve cancer cells of nutrients and block signals that cause them to grow. But even in cases where the cancer has already spread, there are ways to ease symptoms and improve quality of life. A person with stage 4 cancer may live for years after treatment begins.
The stress of a cancer diagnosis can cause many physical and emotional problems, especially for those who are caring for someone with cancer. It is important that carer’s are able to seek help for their own wellbeing, so they don’t become burnt out. Carers should also see a GP or the hospital social worker or call Cancer Council to talk about what support services are available.
If you know somebody who has stage 4 cancer, try to find ways that you can help them. This may be practical, such as offering to do the grocery shopping or take a loved one’s pets for a walk. You could offer emotional support by simply being present for them and listening to their fears and concerns. You might be able to offer them some advice from your own experience with a similar situation or you can suggest that they seek professional counselling.
It is not uncommon for a cancer patient to feel a sense of hopelessness when they hear their prognosis. However, there are often untapped reserves of strength that can be drawn upon to give a person a fighting chance at life.
Getting the right level of support can make a huge difference to a person’s attitude and outlook. A positive attitude to a serious illness can give you the strength to keep going through difficult times.
The outlook for a particular type of cancer depends on its staging and grade, how well it responds to treatment, the person’s general health and other factors. The prognosis for stage 4 cancer is usually worse than for an early stage tumour, but it is possible for a patient to go into remission at any stage.
The most important thing is to be there for your friends and family when they need you. It can be a lonely time for people with advanced cancer, so it is good to have a network of supportive people to turn to. Joining a cancer support group can be helpful, as can seeking professional counseling or joining a group therapy program.
Cancer is categorized in stages that offer information about a cancer’s size, where it’s located and whether it’s spread. Stage 4 cancer describes an advanced cancer that’s in the process of spreading to other areas of the body.
The outlook for cancer that reaches stage 4 is usually not positive. However, there are still treatment options available that can help relieve symptoms and prolong life.
The loss of appetite is a common side effect from cancer and its treatment. It can also be caused by other conditions such as nausea, mouth sores, pain, depression and fatigue. Regardless of the cause, loss of appetite can be very frustrating for cancer patients. If it is persistent, you should discuss it with your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
If you are caring for someone who is experiencing a loss of appetite, try to make meals with them that are palatable to them. You can add spices, salt, pepper, vinegars and other flavor enhancers to help entice them to eat. Keep snacks handy that are high in calories and protein, such as cheese and crackers, nuts, ice cream, peanut butter or pudding. Try to eat with them in a pleasant environment that is calm and quiet. Encourage them to chew their food thoroughly and use utensils. If they cannot eat due to swallowing issues, artificial nutrition may be necessary and your healthcare provider can discuss the options with you.
Studies have shown that palliative care can improve appetite in cancer patients. This can include dietary counseling and supportive care, such as addressing discomfort, providing distractions, facilitating social interactions, encouraging a positive outlook, and reorienting attention away from hunger and weight loss to patient comfort and quality of life.
Cancer can cause a variety of symptoms that affect a person’s quality of life. It is important to discuss these symptoms with a medical professional. The doctor will be able to help manage these symptoms so they do not worsen. The medical team will also work to find the best treatment options for a patient’s individual needs.
When a cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it is called metastatic cancer. This stage of cancer is different from the primary cancer that started in the lung. Metastatic cancers can affect the lungs, lymph nodes and other organs in the body.
There are several treatments for metastatic cancers, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. These treatments can be used alone or together. They can help shrink tumors, relieve symptoms and reduce side effects.
It is difficult to predict a person’s prognosis at this stage of cancer. The cancer may continue to grow and spread, or it could go into remission. People with stage 4 cancer should seek a supportive environment and rely on their loved ones for emotional support. It is important to avoid comparing a cancer patient’s condition to other people’s experiences.
A patient’s prognosis depends on the type of cancer, where it has spread and their overall health. Patients with stage 4 cancer should talk to their doctors about what they can expect. The doctors can help them cope with their situation by providing them with tools that will allow them to live comfortably. They can also provide them with information about the survival rates of their specific cancer. This will give them an idea of what to expect, but it is important to remember that survival rates are estimates.
Many people have problems with attention, thinking and memory in stage 4 cancer. These can be caused by the disease itself or by treatment, such as radiation to the brain or spinal cord or chemotherapy given directly into the tumor or spine. They can also be caused by other conditions such as anemia, electrolyte imbalances, certain medications or infections.
The most common signs of these problems are trouble remembering names, dates or places, feeling like you’re in a “mental fog,” and difficulty dealing with new information or making decisions. In some cases, the symptoms are more severe. For example, if the cancer has spread to the lung, symptoms may include shortness of breath or a dry cough and a feeling of heaviness in the chest. If the cancer has spread to the brain, it may cause a headache or changes to one part of the body that is controlled by that area of the brain (for example, weakness in a certain limb).
If these symptoms develop, you should talk with your doctor about treatment options and care planning. Be sure to mention any other symptoms you or your loved one is having, such as incontinence, trouble moving around or feeling unwell or depressed.
There are many reasons why a cancer patient may be experiencing difficulty concentrating. However, if the symptoms persist and become worse, it is important to seek medical attention. The inability to concentrate can lead to missed appointments and other problems.
A medical professional will usually be able to determine the cause of the problem by conducting physical exams and imaging scans. These tests can tell a doctor the type of cancer, its location and how far it has spread. This information helps the cancer care team plan treatment.
Some types of cancer, such as testicular and lymphoma, can be cured even when they are in stage 4. Other cancers can not be cured once they have reached stage 4, but it does not necessarily mean that they cannot be controlled or treated.
Cancers are ranked in stages based on where they started and whether they have spread, or metastasized. For example, lung cancer is generally ranked in stages from 0 to 4 depending on how much of the tumor is contained within the lungs and whether it has spread to nearby tissues or organs, notes the American Cancer Society.
The stages are often referred to using the letters T, N and M. The letter “T” indicates the size and location of the tumor. A higher number means a larger tumor and a lower number indicates that the tumor has grown deeper into surrounding tissue. The letter “N” refers to the lymph nodes, and a lower case letter like a “a” or “b” can indicate how many lymph nodes have been affected. The letter “M” indicates that the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
Cancer patients can suffer from a wide range of physical problems. Pain can be especially severe as a cancer advances. Pain can be caused by a tumor, its spread or underlying medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes. A physician will evaluate the patient’s symptoms and decide on a course of treatment.
Most cancers are classified according to their stages, which offer a description of the cancer’s progression. Doctors use physical exams, imaging scans and other tests to determine a cancer’s stage. The stage of a cancer describes its size, how far it has spread and whether it has affected nearby tissues or organs.
A cancer in its earliest stages is typically confined to the site where it originated, and surgery can often be used to remove it completely. When a cancer reaches stage 4, it’s more advanced and has likely spread to other parts of the body, or metastasized, notes Moffitt Cancer Center. At this stage, it’s difficult to cure the cancer and it’s unlikely the patient will experience a remission.
In this stage, a person’s immune system is weakened by the growth of new cancerous cells. These can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream, or they may break free from their primary tumor and enter a new site. The most common sites for cancers to spread to in stage 4 include the lungs, liver and bones.
In many cases, when a person is in stage 4 of a cancer, doctors will recommend palliative care instead of aggressive treatment. This involves providing pain relief and support. It’s important to note that palliative treatments can improve a patient’s quality of life, even at this late stage in their cancer.
Stage 4 Cancer treatment is usually intended to control the disease, relieve symptoms and improve a person’s quality of life. It depends on what type of cancer a person has and how far it has spread.
Cancer that has spread to distant sections of the body is called metastatic cancer. It is usually diagnosed years after the original cancer diagnosis and after the primary cancer has been treated or eliminated.
When cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it’s called metastasis. If it reaches stage 4, it’s likely the cancer has already spread to several locations. Stage 4 cancer is usually not cured, but treatment can help relieve symptoms and extend survival.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. This type of treatment can be given on its own or with other cancer treatments. It is usually given over time, with breaks between treatments that let your body’s normal cells heal. Each treatment cycle is 3 weeks or more, and it may last for months.
Some chemotherapy drugs can cause side effects such as nausea and tiredness. You can ask your doctor about anti-nausea medicine, which helps most people. Chemotherapy can also reduce your white blood cell counts, which can make it harder for your body to fight infections.
Your doctor can use blood tests and X-rays to see how well your chemotherapy is working. If the levels of certain types of blood cells drop too low, your doctor will change your dose or stop the treatment for a few days.
There are some types of chemotherapy that target specific mutations in cancer cells. This type of chemotherapy is called targeted therapy. It is often combined with other cancer treatments, such as radiation or surgery.
Other cancers can be treated with immunotherapy, which uses your body’s natural immune system to fight the tumor. It is often used as part of a combination therapy for Stage 4 Cancer.
You and your doctor can find out if you qualify for cancer clinical trials. These studies compare different treatments and see how well they work on large groups of people. They can also help find the best treatment for you.
Palliative care is a type of healthcare that can help ease pain, stress and other symptoms caused by the cancer and its treatment. This type of care can be provided by a team of health professionals, such as social workers and nurse practitioners. Your doctor can also refer you to specialists in managing side effects of cancer treatment.
Radiation is a powerful form of energy that can kill cancer cells and keep them from growing. However, healthy cells that surround tumors can also be affected by high doses of radiation. This is why doctors use special techniques to limit the amount of radiation that goes to normal tissue.
Radiations are usually delivered daily for several weeks in a treatment room. Before starting your treatments, you’ll receive a CT scan or MRI to identify the location of your tumor and surrounding tissue. This information helps your doctor create a customized radiation plan that targets the area most likely to contain cancer cells.
During radiation therapy, you lie on a table and the radiation machine (linear accelerator, or linac) makes a buzzing sound. Your treatment team will remain in another room, but they can communicate with you through a window or closed-circuit TV. If you’re uncomfortable, let your team know and they can make changes.
Fatigue is a common side effect of radiation. This fatigue may get worse over time and can interfere with your work, social life and personal relationships. Your oncologist can offer strategies to help you manage fatigue and prevent it from interfering with your daily activities.
A tumor in the lungs can cause difficulty breathing. In some cases, a doctor can use radiation to shrink a lung tumor and improve breathing. They can also perform a procedure called a bronchoscopy to open blocked lung passages and clear obstructions.
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men. If a prostate tumor becomes advanced, it can spread to other parts of the body. Radiation can reduce the size of a tumor and reduce symptoms like pain and urgency to urinate.
A type of radiation, permanent implant or brachytherapy, involves placing radioactive material directly into the cancer or surrounding tissue. This type of radiation may be given through a needle, through a tube called a catheter or through a special applicator that’s placed on the surface of the skin. Radiation from permanent implants stays inside the body for a longer period of time.
Surgery can be used to remove the cancer, and in some cases to help relieve pain, symptoms or other health problems caused by the disease. Surgery can also be used to prevent the cancer from spreading.
Cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body is called stage 4. This is sometimes referred to as metastatic cancer.
The stage of the cancer describes how far it has spread, and it helps doctors plan treatment. The stage is determined by the size and location of the tumor, and whether or not it has spread to nearby tissues or organs. The stage is also determined by the type of cancer, how it responds to treatment and a person’s overall health.
Staging is done to help doctors determine the best treatment for each patient. The staging system is based on the TNM (tumor, nodes and metastasis) classification from the American Joint Committee on Cancer. The T part of the system identifies the size and location of the tumor, while the N portion identifies the number of lymph nodes that have been affected by the tumor. The M part of the system indicates whether or not the cancer has spread to other organs, and it is also rated on a scale from 1 to 4.
If the surgeon discovers that the tumor has not spread beyond the lung, they will often recommend surgery to remove the cancerous tissue and relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, it will be removed surgically and then treated with chemotherapy, radiation or targeted therapy.
Once a person is under anesthesia, the surgeon removes the tumor and some of the healthy tissue around it. They may also take samples of the tissue surrounding the tumor for further testing. These samples will be checked under a microscope to see if any of the cancer cells have spread.
After surgery, patients will go to a room where nurses will monitor them closely for several hours. The nurses will give you pain relievers if necessary. They will answer any questions you or your family members have. You might feel groggy, confused or chilly after waking up from the anesthesia. It is important to have good communication with your medical team, and to talk openly about your feelings.
Some cancers are very hard to treat, but doctors continue to find ways to improve survival rates. One of these newer treatments is called targeted therapy, which uses drugs to stop tumor growth and kill cancer cells. It targets specific things inside your cells that help cancer grow and spread, so it may not harm healthy cells as much as traditional chemotherapy.
Targeted therapy can be used alone or with other types of treatment. It may be given as pills you swallow (orally) or by a needle into your vein (intravenously). You might also receive it through your skin in the form of a cream, or it might be delivered via catheter into a blood vessel in your chest (chest port). Targeted therapy is usually long-term and will require regular testing to make sure it’s still working.
There are many different targeted therapies available to treat stage 4 cancers. Some of them work by stopping cancer cells from getting the nutrients they need to grow. These drugs are called angiogenesis inhibitors. Other targeted therapies work by interfering with the chemical signals that cancer cells use to tell themselves when to grow and spread. This type of targeted therapy is called signal transduction inhibitors.
Other targeted therapies target proteins that are part of the cellular machinery that controls how genes get expressed, or turned on and off. These types of drugs are called gene expression modulators. Finally, there are a few targeted therapies that cause cancer cells to die naturally by triggering the process of cell death, or apoptosis. Examples of these include bortezomib (Velcade), a drug that treats lymphoma and multiple myeloma, and plant compounds like resveratrol.
Like other cancer treatments, targeted therapy can cause side effects. These might include a rash that looks like acne, diarrhea, and problems with your liver or blood vessels. Your doctor can help you manage these side effects. Some targeted therapies aren’t approved for all types of cancer, and some may not be safe to use if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. However, you might be able to try an experimental targeted therapy through a clinical trial.
A cancer’s stage describes its size and how far it has spread. It’s used to help healthcare providers plan treatment and develop a prognosis or expected outcome.
Different cancers use different staging systems. But one common system groups cancer into five stages.
The first step in figuring out your stage is to identify the type of cancer you have.
Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. It usually starts in the lungs but it can also start in other parts of your body and then spread to the lungs. The type of cancer and its stage determines your treatment options.
Most people with lung cancer don’t experience symptoms until the disease is in later stages. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing up blood or blood-stained phlegm. UCSF offers state-of-the-art treatment for lung cancer, including surgical removal of the tumor and radiation therapy. Our experts include thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists and thoracic oncologists. We also offer a range of systemic drug treatments.
When cells are healthy, they divide to make copies of themselves, but cancerous cells continue to grow out of control and create masses of tissue that keep your organs from working properly. When the cancer spreads to other parts of your body, it is called metastatic.
The types of metastatic cancers are different for each person. But they often include bone, liver and kidney cancers. Those in the bone are called osteosarcoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and oat cell cancer. Metastasis to the brain is a serious condition that can cause headaches, seizures and memory problems.
Most people with metastatic lung cancer are diagnosed at stage 4. But this doesn’t mean that they don’t have treatment options. The type of treatment you receive depends on where your cancer has spread and what else is happening in your body.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of cancer in the lungs. It grows and spreads more slowly than small cell cancer. The main types of NSCLC are squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. The rare subtype bronchoalveolar carcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma form in the cells that line the airways of the lungs. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) grows more quickly than NSCLC and is usually found in the central part of the lungs. Small cell lung cancer spreads more rapidly than NSCLC and is less likely to respond to chemotherapy drugs. Small cell carcinoma is also more likely to spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women. It occurs when healthy cells in the breast change and grow out of control, forming a tumor. Sometimes the cancer doesn’t spread, which is called “noncancerous.” But it can also spread to other tissues or organs in the body, which is called malignant.
Stage 4 cancer is advanced and likely to be fatal. It’s referred to as metastatic breast cancer when it has spread to other parts of the body.
When doctors diagnose a person with breast cancer, they often describe the stage of the disease using a system called TNM. The T stands for the size of the tumor, and the N represents whether it has spread to nearby tissue. Healthcare providers use a number from 1 to 4 for each of these categories, and they may also break the staging system down into subcategories, such as T2b or T3c.
The type of breast cancer can affect the staging, too. For example, a breast cancer that starts in the tubes (ducts) that carry milk from the nipple is often diagnosed as ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS. Cancers that start in the lobules or other areas of the breast are often diagnosed as invasive breast cancer, or invasive lobular carcinoma.
There are many different kinds of breast cancer that can cause stage 4 disease. But most people who develop breast cancer have a type that starts in the ducts or other tissues of the breast.
Healthcare providers use imaging tests to check for cancer in the breast and nearby lymph nodes. They may also order blood tests to look for certain types of cancer cells or markers, which can help with diagnosis and treatment planning.
In the United States, most doctors use the TNM staging system to describe cancer. But other cancer registries may use a different system. Those systems generally classify the stages as localized, regional or distant, with “distant” meaning that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. For example, if a person has cancer that has spread to the liver, it would be classified as stage 4 disease for both SEER and TNM.
Ovarian cancer is a type of tumor that starts in one or both of the ovaries. The ovaries are located in the female reproductive system, along with two fallopian tubes and the tissue that covers the organs in the pelvis (the peritoneum). The ovaries make female hormones and produce eggs for reproduction. Cancer of the ovaries accounts for about 5 percent of all cancers in women.
The most common type of ovarian cancer is epithelial cancer, which develops from cells on the surface of the ovaries. This type of cancer is often asymptomatic until it has spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer include abdominal pain, bloating, and unexplained weight loss. If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor. The doctor will ask about your medical history and perform a pelvic exam. The doctor may also order blood tests and an ultrasound of the pelvis. A biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. A biopsy involves removing a sample of tissue or fluid to look for cancer cells.
Stage 4 ovarian cancer means that the cancer has spread beyond the ovaries to other tissues in the abdomen and pelvis. This is called metastatic ovarian cancer. Metastatic cancer is a terminal disease. Patients with stage 4 ovarian cancer generally have a poor prognosis.
There are several different systems used to describe ovarian cancer stages. The International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO) uses a staging system that includes five similar categories, from 1 to 4. These stages describe how far the cancer has spread at the time of diagnosis.
In stage I, the cancer is confined to your ovaries and fallopian tubes or the lining of your abdomen. In stage II, the cancer has spread to other tissues in your pelvis.
In stage III, the cancer has spread to other parts of your body, such as the lungs or liver. In stage IV, the cancer has spread to distant parts of your body, such as your spleen and lymph nodes. Stage IV cancer is sometimes referred to as advanced ovarian cancer, metastatic ovarian cancer or recurrent ovarian cancer.
Lymphoma is cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of your body’s germ-fighting network. The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland and bone marrow. Lymphoma starts when white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control and multiply. These cells are supposed to die after a short time, but genetic changes in the lymphocytes cause them to thrive instead. Lymphoma is divided into two overarching categories, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). It also has more than 70 subtypes.
Your chances of survival with lymphoma depend on the type you have, what stage it is in and how well you respond to treatment. You can get more information about the type of lymphoma you have and its prognosis from your medical team. Prognosis is a term that refers to how likely it is that the cancer will be curable or will progress (become fatal). It can vary greatly between people and even between areas of the same organ. It can also change over time, depending on the response to therapy or whether the lymphoma becomes more aggressive or higher-grade (faster replicating).
If your lymphoma is in stage 2 or 3, it’s close to an organ but hasn’t spread beyond nearby lymph nodes. If it is in stage 4 or 5, the lymphoma has spread to other parts of the body, usually to the liver, bone marrow or lungs. These cancers are still treatable and curable, although it may take more intensive treatments.
You can help yourself by following a healthy diet, getting plenty of rest and staying as stress-free as possible. You can also find support groups and other resources to help you cope with your condition.