Stage IV Rectal Cancer

[GeezLouize75]

My sister has Stage IV Rectal cancer.  She was diagnosed in March of 2007.  She had radiation and the rectal tumors are gone.  It has metastasized to her lung and liver.  She had surgery on her liver and they burned a few lesions off but they returned and I believe with a vengence.  She has had many rounds of chemo and radiation and the doctors say there is no more treatment they can give her. In March 2009 they found a new tumor that had perforated the lining of her vagina.  She has lost 70 pounds all together from the time she was diagnosed to now.  Yesterday she was put in the hospital because her stomach was so swollen that she looked 9 months pregnant.  I read that late stage liver cancer can cause this "asides fluid".  Has anyone heard of this and does it mean she doesn't have much time left?

[GeezLouize75]

My sister has had 5,000 cc's of fluid drained from her since Friday, the 1st of May.  How long do you think she has to live with the fluid rebuilding at this rate?  She is being taken care of by a hospice nurse as far as the draining goes.  Is is common for people to last a long time with this fluid build-up and drainage process?

[GeezLouize75]

Thank you for your response.  I was afraid that you were going to say the survival rate is low.  She has fought a tough battle for the past 2 years.  I PRAY some day there will be a cure for the horrible disease.  Thanks again.

[Dr Vinod]

Stage IV or Stage D as it is called according to Astler-Coller classification of Carcinoma of Rectum is the metastatic stage.
Metastasis is the cancer has spread well beyond the rectum to different organs. It is very difficult to control at this stage of presentation as already there are nodes, adjacent organs and also distant organs involved.
They use a generalized treatment like Radio and Chemo.
The survival rate now is very low!
Take care