Thermal stage of cancer. Video - Palliative medicine. Symptoms of end-stage lung cancer

Cancer is very serious disease, which is characterized by the appearance in the human body of a tumor that grows rapidly and damages nearby human tissues. Later, the malignant tumor affects the nearest lymph nodes, and in the last stage metastases occur when cancer cells distributed to all organs of the body.

The terrible thing is that at stages 3 and 4, the treatment of cancer in some types of oncology is impossible. Because of what the doctor can reduce the suffering of the patient and prolong his life a little. At the same time, he is getting worse every day, due to the rapid spread of metastases.

At this time, the relatives and friends of the patient should roughly understand what kind of symptoms the patient is experiencing in order to help survive the last stage of life and reduce his suffering. Generally dying of cancer due to complete defeat metastases, experience the same pains and ailments. How do people die of cancer?

Why do people die of cancer?

Cancer disease occurs in several stages, and each stage is characterized by more severe symptoms and damage to the body by the tumor. In fact, not everyone dies from cancer, and it all depends on the stage at which the tumor was discovered. And here everything is clear - the earlier it was found and diagnosed, the greater the chances of recovery.

But there are many more factors, and even stage 1 or even stage 2 cancer does not always give a 100% chance of recovery. Since cancer has a lot of properties. For example, there is such a thing as the aggressiveness of malignant tissues - at the same time, the higher this indicator, the faster the tumor itself grows, and the faster the stages of cancer begin.

The mortality rate increases with each stage of cancer development. The largest percentage is at stage 4 - but why? At this stage cancer tumor already has a huge size and affects the nearest tissues, lymph nodes and organs, and metastases spread to distant corners of the body: as a result, almost all tissues of the body are affected.

In this case, the tumor grows faster and becomes more aggressive. The only thing that doctors can do is slow down the growth rate and reduce the suffering of the patient himself. Chemotherapy and radiation are usually used, then the cancer cells become less aggressive.

Death in any type of cancer does not always come quickly, and it happens that the patient suffers for a long time, which is why it is necessary to reduce the suffering of the patient as much as possible. Medicine is not yet able to fight terminal cancer in advanced form, so the earlier the diagnosis is made, the better.

Causes of the disease

Unfortunately, scientists are still struggling with this question and cannot find an exact answer to it. The only thing that can be said is a combination of factors that increase the chance of getting cancer:

• Alcohol and smoking.
• Junk food.
• Obesity.
• Bad ecology.
• Working with chemicals.
• Wrong medical treatment.

In order to somehow try to avoid cancer, you must first of all monitor your health and regularly undergo examinations with a doctor and take general and biochemical analysis blood.

Symptoms before death

That's why correct tactics treatment chosen for last step disease, will help reduce pain and illness to the patient, as well as significantly prolong life. Of course, each oncology has its own signs and symptoms, but there are also common ones that begin directly at the fourth stage, when almost the entire body is affected by malignant tumors. How do cancer patients feel before they die?

1. Constant fatigue. Occurs due to the fact that the tumor itself takes away great amount energy and nutrients for growth, and the larger it is, the worse. Let's add metastases to other organs here, and you will understand how difficult it is for patients in the last stage. The condition usually worsens after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. At the very end, cancer patients will sleep a lot. The most important thing is not to disturb them and let them rest. Subsequently deep dream may develop into a coma.
2. Appetite decreases. The patient does not eat because general intoxication when the tumor produces a large number of waste products into the blood.
3. Cough and difficulty breathing. Often, metastases from any organ cancer damage the lungs, causing swelling of the upper body and coughing. After some time, it becomes difficult for the patient to breathe - this means that the cancer has firmly settled in the lung.
4. Disorientation. At this point, there may be memory loss, a person ceases to recognize friends and relatives. This happens due to metabolic disorders with brain tissues. Plus to everything going strong intoxication. Hallucinations may occur.
5. Blueness of limbs. When the patient’s strength becomes low and the body tries to stay afloat with its last strength, then the blood basically begins to flow to the vital important bodies: heart, kidney, liver, brain, etc. At this point, the limbs become cold and take on a bluish, pale hue. This is one of the most important harbingers of death.
6. Spots on the body. Before death, spots appear on the legs and arms associated with poor circulation. This moment also accompanies the approach of death. After death, the spots become bluish.
7. Weakness in the muscles. Then the patient cannot move and walk normally, some can still move slightly but slowly to the toilet. But the bulk lie and walk under themselves.
8. Coma state. It can come suddenly, then the patient will need a nurse who will help, wash away and do everything that the patient cannot do in this condition.

The process of dyingand main stages

1. Predagonia. Violation of the central nervous system. The patient himself does not feel any emotions. The skin on the legs and arms turns blue, and the face becomes earthy. The pressure drops sharply.
2. Agony. Due to the fact that the tumor has already spread everywhere, it comes oxygen starvation, the heartbeat slows down. After some time, breathing stops, and the process of blood circulation slows down greatly.
3. clinical death. All functions are suspended, both the heart and breathing.
4. biological death. The main feature biological death is brain death.

Of course, some cancers can have characteristics, we told you about big picture death from cancer.

Symptoms of brain cancer before death

Cancer of the brain tissue is difficult to diagnose on early stages. He does not even have his own tumor markers, by which the disease itself can be determined. Before death, the patient feels severe pain in a certain place of the head, he may see hallucinations, memory loss occurs, he may not recognize relatives and friends.

Constant mood swings from calm to irritated. Speech is disturbed and the patient can carry any nonsense. The patient may lose sight or hearing. In the end, there is a violation of motor function.

Last stage lung cancer

It develops initially without any symptoms. AT recent times oncology has become the most common among all. The problem is precisely the late detection and diagnosis of cancer, which is why the tumor is detected at stage 3 or even at stage 4, when it is no longer possible to cure the disease.

All symptoms before death of lung cancer 4 degrees relate directly to breathing and bronchi. Usually it is difficult for the patient to breathe, he constantly takes in air, he coughs violently with copious secretions. At the very end may begin epileptic seizure which will lead to death. terminal stage lung cancer is very nasty and painful for the patient.

Liver cancer

When a tumor of the liver is affected, it grows very quickly and damages internal tissues organ. The result is jaundice. The patient feels severe pain, the temperature rises, the patient feels sick and vomits, impaired urination (urine may be bloody).

Before death, doctors try to reduce the suffering of the patient with medication. Death from liver cancer is very difficult and painful with large quantity internal bleeding.

bowel cancer

One of the most annoying and most difficult oncological diseases, which is very difficult at stage 4, especially if a little earlier they had an operation to remove part of the intestine. The patient feels severe pain in the abdomen, headache, nausea and vomiting. This is due to severe intoxication from the tumor and delayed feces.

The patient cannot go to the toilet normally. Since at the last stage there is also defeat Bladder and liver, as well as kidneys. The patient dies very quickly from poisoning with internal toxins.

Esophageal carcinoma

The cancer itself affects the esophagus, and in the last stages the patient can no longer eat normally and eats only through a tube. The tumor affects not only the organ itself, but also nearby tissues. Metastasis damage extends to the intestines and lungs, so the pain will manifest itself throughout chest and in the abdomen. Before death, the tumor can cause bleeding, causing the patient to vomit blood.

throat cancer before death

A very painful disease, when the tumor affects all the nearest organs. He feels severe pain, he cannot breathe normally. Usually, if the tumor itself completely blocks the passage, then the patient breathes through a special tube. Metastases move to the lungs and nearby organs. Doctors prescribe a large amount of painkillers at the end.

Last days

Usually, if the patient wishes, relatives can take him home, while he is discharged and given potent drugs and painkillers to help relieve pain.

At this point, you need to understand that the patient has very little time left and you need to try to reduce his suffering. At the very end there may appear additional symptoms: vomiting with blood, intestinal obstruction, severe pain in the abdomen and chest, coughing up blood and shortness of breath.

At the very end, when almost every organ is affected cancer metastases, it is better to leave the patient alone and let him sleep. The most important thing is that at this moment, relatives, loved ones, close people should be next to the sick, who, by their presence, will reduce pain and suffering.

How to relieve the suffering of the dying?

Often, the patient's pain can be so severe that conventional medications do not help. Improvement can only bring narcotic substances given by doctors for cancer. True, this leads to even greater intoxication and to the imminent death of the patient.

(14 ratings, average: 4,64 out of 5)

The number of people who are diagnosed with lung cancer is very large. Adverse factors damage DNA cells, provoking the development of pathology. Cancer is classified into small cell and non-small cell, in four stages of development. 4th, or terminal lung cancer, is the most severe form pathology. Metastases spread beyond the lung, penetrated into neighboring organs. The percentage of survival directly depends on the type of neoplasm.

Causes that can provoke the disease:

All these factors may not be directly related to the disease, but their presence significantly increases the likelihood of its manifestation. Because the oncologist without fail makes a personal and family history. If a person is exposed to one of the above factors, he should be more attentive to his health, more often undergo a medical examination.

Clinical manifestations of stage 4 cancer

The terminal stage of lung cancer has the most striking symptoms.

• Cough. At first it is infrequent, dry, later - more annoying and disturbing. With a peripheral form, the cough may be completely absent.
• Blood streaks in sputum. The bronchial wall is affected, destruction of the mucous membrane occurs and blood vessels that pass here.
• Pain in the chest. Can have different character and intensity. Most often pain syndrome indicates the location of the tumor.
• Breathing problems, shortness of breath, failure heart rate possible angina pectoris. Most parts of the lung cease to function, and the vascular bed of the pulmonary circulation is reduced.
• Digestive problems.

End-stage lung cancer requires rapid and effective treatment. The manifestations of the pathology are so strong that the patient cannot do without therapeutic methods.

Diagnosis and methods of therapy

For the purpose of research pathological process oncologists prescribe a range of diagnostic procedures. All this is necessary to determine the localization, prevalence, size and other features of the tumor. The most common methods.

1. Initial examination by a doctor, drawing up a personal and family history.
2. X-ray examination- simple and fast way diagnosis. X-rays in two projections can be used to determine the size and location of the tumor.
3. Bronchoscopy allows you to examine the condition of the trachea and bronchi. By using this method pathology can be detected and a tissue sample taken for a biopsy.
4. Transthoracic biopsy - histological analysis tumors.
5. Ultrasound procedure allows painless examination of the lung, lymph nodes and neighboring organs.

Using these methods, the doctor determines all the features of education. Having accurate information is very important to prescribing effective treatment. When a patient has terminal lung cancer, he needs intensive therapy capable of improving the quality of life.

Chemotherapy is one of the main ways to fight cancer. injected into the patient's body anticancer drugs, which should find, recognize, prevent the development of cancer cells. Sometimes polychemotherapy is used - a combination of various medications. The scheme of medications and the duration of the course of treatment is prescribed individually for each patient. This therapy will significantly alleviate the patient's condition after the first sessions. The whole procedure can be divided into several courses, depending on the condition and well-being of the patient.

Radiation therapy can be used in combination with chemotherapy or act independent method. On the malignant tumor affect radioactive radiation, which destroys cancer cells, preventing their further division.

Due attention is paid to immunotherapy, especially in combination with other methods of treatment. Immunostimulants force the body to fight the pathology on its own. With end-stage lung cancer, the patient is prescribed symptomatic treatment to alleviate the general condition.

Surgery for stage 4 cancer is very rare. Bad feeling patient, a large number of metastases, features of the spread of the tumor - all this is taken into account by the oncologist before prescribing therapy. And in most cases surgical intervention is not efficient.

Early diagnosis and prevention

Cancer can be cured if it is found on early stage. To do this, it is necessary to undergo an x-ray every year, which will allow you to detect pathology and begin timely treatment.

Important! A person who is at risk or has discovered the described symptoms should definitely consult a doctor for a full medical examination.

End-stage lung cancer also needs preventive measures.

1. To give up smoking. Nicotine has pernicious influence not only to the lungs, but to the whole body. Passive smoking also best avoided.
2. Elimination of risk factors. If carcinogens are present in the work or Everyday life contact with them must be minimized.
3. Regular examinations allow you to monitor your health.

The main thing in the prevention of stage 4 cancer is to prevent it. Symptoms of pathology appear much earlier, so the patient should be more attentive to his health.

End stage cancer is last stage oncological disease. The probability of cure at this stage of the development of the disease is small, but still exists. Treatment methods in this case are aimed at maintaining steady state patient, reducing pain and suffering.

In the terminal stage of cancer, there is an increased division of tumor cells, the spread of metastases to neighboring organs and tissues. It complicates general state sick. The chance of recovery at this stage is small, but still there.

For this, both doctors and the patient will have to make a lot of effort.

Characteristic features of oncology in the fourth stage

How can doctors help?

– the only way treatment of end-stage cancer.

The help of doctors in this case consists in prolonging the life of the patient by taking special medicines. Sehydrin is prescribed as a palliative drug. It can also be used in the pre-terminal phase of the process. Also, the rate of growth malignant formations reduce by resorting to the method of radiation and chemotherapy.

Palliative care of a doctor prolongs the life of patients by an average of 5 years. It all depends on the type of tumor and the intensity of its development. The patient needs permanent care physicians. In some cases, they resort to the help of psychologists to help the patient himself and teach his relatives how to communicate with the patient correctly. It is difficult for patients to get used to the idea of ​​a possible near end, so relatives and friends should provide maximum support and compassion.

Video - Palliative Medicine

End-stage prognosis

At competent help doctors can relieve symptoms and prolong life by several years. Fatal outcome observed not from the oncological formation itself, but from the scale of metastasis. This means that death in most cases occurs due to injury. of cardio-vascular system, lungs and liver.

The terminal stage of cancer is pain, both for the patient himself and for his relatives. The attending physician must make every effort to prolong the life of the patient and alleviate his general condition.

Terminal stage - how is it?

The terminal stage of cancer is the last, most complex, severe and neglected degree of development of the pathology, characterized by an irreversible and uncontrolled distribution of tumor cells throughout the body. Here we are talking no longer about the defeat of one organ and disruption of its work, but about the infection of all neighboring ones and their failure, significant problems in their functioning and ensuring the normal functioning of the body. In addition to the main organs, the development of the disease leads to metastases in the lymphatic system, bone tissues, and brain structures.

A few years ago, patients who were diagnosed with end-stage cancer of the pancreas, liver, kidneys or any other organ were doomed, but today medicine has made a huge step forward, and modern methods of treatment can stop the oncological process, no matter at what stage of development it is. was.

Features of the manifestation of symptoms of the disease

If cancer has reached the terminal stage, it means that its symptoms manifest themselves especially brightly, with all possible intensity, including not only signs of damage to a specific organ, but also general ones characteristic of oncology. All patients complain about:

• severe pain that cannot be stopped with conventional painkillers;
• increased weakness;
• too much fatigue(sometimes just a few movements are enough to feel tired);
• practically constant malaise and poor health;
• loss of appetite;
• drastic weight loss.

All types of cancer are accompanied by the development of anemia in the last stages.

Attention! Leakage terminal form cancer does not mean that the patient does not experience relief. It happens that in the morning he cannot get out of bed, and by the afternoon he feels better and goes out for a breath of fresh air.

Despite the fact that we are talking about extensive damage to the body, clinical picture preserves symptoms depending on localization oncological process. For example, end-stage lung cancer is characterized by the appearance severe cough, shortness of breath, the presence of blood in the sputum.

Lack of appetite is one of obvious signs bodily dysfunction

In breast oncology, there are significant increases in the size of the seals that have appeared in it. These can be single nodes that have reached enormous sizes and have taken different forms, or multiple painful neoplasms that enlarge and change the appearance of the chest. At the same time, they swell up to large sizes and axillary lymph nodes.

The terminal stage of stomach cancer is characterized by severe pain in the region of the organ and serious problems with digestion. State peculiar persistent nausea and frequent vomiting, developing even after a small dose light food. Often, vomit contains blood impurities. The patient loses weight too quickly and weakens, skin become greyish.

If a destructive process the liver has undergone, this is accompanied by an increase in the size of the organ, it clearly protrudes from under the right rib, and on palpation its uneven, ribbed surface is felt. The progression of the disease leads to the development of jaundice, attacks of fever and an unreasonable, at first glance, increase in temperature become frequent.

The transition of bowel cancer to the terminal stage is accompanied not only by severe pain, but also by constant disorders. Patients are concerned about diarrhea and constipation, and there is a darkening of the feces, it can become tar-black, which indicates penetration into stool blood, and also include mucus and pus. Pathology is characterized by bloating, accumulation of fluid and gases, unpleasant feeling incomplete emptying intestines.

Is treatment possible, and which one?

Doctors always warn that the sooner treatment is started, the easier it is to overcome any disease, including cancer. Often, patients who learn about their diagnosis fall into depression and apathy, without taking any action in the fight against the disease, which in itself is an unacceptable mistake, because. in the terminal period, every day is important.

A neglected pathology requires complex and long-term treatment, it is not limited to one method, but involves a set of different measures that have proven their effectiveness in palliative care. Of course, with end-stage cancer, it's just surgical removal tumor formation will not solve the problem, and it is far from always possible, because the tumor already reaches a huge size, and distant metastases found in many organs. As a rule, the treatment program includes:

Important! After the main treatment, patients urgently need psychological help and a well-chosen rehabilitation program.

What doctors say about prognosis and chances of recovery

Every patient who is aware of terrible diagnosis, and especially his close people, first of all want to hear the answer to the question of whether this is a sentence or is there a chance?

No doctor can say for sure how long the terminal stage of cancer will last, it is absolutely unpredictable. Without treatment, the calculation will go on for months, and even days. As for recovery, here too there are too many decisive factors:

• patient's age;
• the type of cancer and the degree of aggressiveness of the cells;
• localization of a cancerous tumor;
• the reactivity of the organism, its tendency to be exposed to external influences;
• the adequacy of the selected treatment complex;
• ability immune system body to resist relapse;
• the presence of other comorbidities.

There is another very important factor – mental attitude the patient himself, his courage and willingness to fight for life. As practice shows, in most cases of oncology, it was the desire to live on that helped stop deadly disease. As an example, consider the situation with the famous Hollywood actor Michael Douglas, who was diagnosed with end-stage throat cancer a few years ago by doctors. But the body, despite its advanced age, having crossed the 70-year mark, coped with the disease and was able to achieve a long-term remission.

Carefully! Scientists note the fact that for many types of cancer, it is easier to achieve complete remission, even despite the terminal stage, if it is a primary pathology with a properly selected therapy and rehabilitation program than if relapses occur.

Cancer, no matter what localization we are talking about, - dangerous disease, which requires adequate treatment modern methods. In no case should you put it off "for later", trying to cure with herbs and folk remedies none of them can resist malignant process, and at the terminal stage there is simply no time for experiments.

Texas resident with cancer Holly Kitchen recorded a video on how to communicate with the terminally ill.

At 39, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. A year has passed, and I already decided that I did it ...

But I was given a different diagnosis - stage IV breast cancer with metastases.

“Metastasized cancer” means that cancer cells spread from where they were first found to anywhere in the body, anywhere.

Breast cancer with metastases is INCURED.

Every year, 40,000 people die from it.

Between 6 and 10% of people are diagnosed with cancer with metastases from the very beginning.

30% of people who are diagnosed with cancer are later diagnosed with cancer with metastases.

My treatment is never - never! - won't end. Or rather, it will end - but only with my life.

According to statistics, after the diagnosis is made, I have 20 months to live.

People don't like talking about cancer, and even incurable cancer - still, it's actually very scary!

But there are some conversations that people with cancer don't like.

We don't want to hear

- "You will win!"

“It’s weird… you know, you look perfectly healthy.”

- “How did you live that you came to cancer? You didn’t really care about yourself, did you?”

"Oh no...you're too young..."

“But have you tried this treatment?”

“My grandma had THAT… she died… it was just awful.”

“Doctors know how to cure cancer, but they keep it a secret so they can pump money out of us!”

– “Fight! Do not give up!"

I'm fighting, I'm fighting every God's day - because I have small children.

Sometimes it's better not to say anything at all. Or say - "I pray for you." But then really pray!

I am not writing this to shame anyone. It's just that people don't really know how painful it is to hear all these phrases.

Before I was diagnosed, I didn't know anything about it.

For example, I thought - "No breasts - no cancer" (and it happens in men too).

Once again, I am writing all this only so that people know more about cancer.

And when you see a man with a pretty pink bracelet (the international symbol of organizations and individuals who support the fight against breast cancer) - know that he is doomed. And this verdict is not subject to revision.

Take responsibility. Share this video. And people will know what can be said to cancer patients, and what - in no case is impossible.

Translation by Anna Barabash