Stage 4 Stable = cured ?

[Alreadyhere]

Hello everyone, DH is still stable after a stage 4 diagnosis in 2012. After reviewing paperwork we’re now going on 3 years stable. There has consistently been nothing present in his body except for a distant calcified lymph node that has not changed size in the 2-3 years. His dr has moved him for the past few years to once a year Scans and visits, and he has not been on any treatment in those 2-3 years. At what point after so many years without any treatment would he be considered cured? There are many things we’d like to do and pursue but worry how that would affect our lives if it was to come back... is there some guidelines for which we know we’ve crossed the “finish” line so to speak?

[Lee]

Getting to once a year is a good sign & a major milehstone. I wanted to continue to see my Onc once a year forever, butt at the 11yr mark, she dropped me. Said I was "cured" & there was no reason for me to keep coming back.

I have been told, with rectal cancer, they like to monitor you for about 10 yrs out. Not sure if it is the same with colon cancer.

Hope this helps,

Lee

[Gravelyguy]

I would agree with Lee. my onc said 10 years. I go back in December and if all is well will go to once a year appointments!

Dave

[Ehut]

My Mayo care team recommended CT surveillance for colon cancer for 5 years, rectal 6 or 7. I had my last CT at 6 years (8 years now) and don't plan for more. I still have an annual CEA test and colonoscopies every 5 years.

[cpep]

I was originally diagnosed stage 3 b 2012 with reoccurrence in my liver 2014. After surgery and chemo I have been cancer free since then 6 and a.half.years. just saw my Dr. The other day after my scan and was asking her about this same issue . She said that she would like to continue to.repeat scans every 6 months there are not allot of stage 4 survivors so there really is no protocol on when to.repeat scans .and what not. I still get bloodwork every 3 months and colonospies every 2 year. My cea is not a good marker so its really scans for me
Thanks
Chris