stage IV
Most advanced cancer
Stage IV is the most advanced classification in cancer staging, indicating the disease has spread (metastasized) from its original site to distant organs or tissues: She was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer.
The Roman numeral system runs from I (localized) through IV (widespread), with stage IV generally carrying the most serious prognosis.
Also written stage 4.
- terminalAt the endpoint
- metastaticHaving spread from origin
- cancerUncontrolled cell proliferation disease
- prognosisPredicted disease course
- advancedFar along in development
incurable · spread · oncology · chemotherapy · hospice · quality of life · palliative · diagnosis · survival · tumor · malignant · lymph nodes · distant · progression · treatment · last resort · biopsy · radiation
stage IVearly-stage
At the outset
in situ · non-invasive · precancerous · pre-cancerous · benign
stage IVlocalized
Restricted to one place
contained · non-invasive · regional · encapsulated · isolated
stage IVcurable
Able to be healed
remission · operable · resectable · early detection · treatable