Is Stage 4 Brain Cancer Terminal?
Brain cancer is defined by stage and type (benign or malignant). Brain cancer is further defined as the primary source or metastatic (from another source). Stage 4 is the most critical.
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Types
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Tumors are identified by a specific set of guidelines. According to the National Cancer Institute, staging takes into consideration the physical exam, imaging studies, laboratory tests, pathology reports and surgical findings to determine the stage of brain cancer.
Identification
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Stage 4 brain cancer indicates that the cancer has spread to another organ. Brain cancer is also defined by grade. Grade IV means that the malignant tissue looks most abnormal and grows quickly, according to the National Cancer Institute.
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Statistics
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According to WebMD, about 1 of every 5,000 people in the United States is affected by brain cancer. The brain is a common location for metastasis from tumors in other locations.
Considerations
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According to MedicineNet.com, brain cancer is considered terminal because most treatment plans are not a cure. Survival greater than 5 years varies from less than 10% to as much as 32%.
Significance
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American Brain Tumor Association statistics show that brain tumors are at the top of the list for cancer death in individuals younger than 20 years. It also reports there are more than 120 different types of brain tumors.
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