Stage 4

[Buzzardbird]

So despite regular smear tests my sister has stage 4 cancer. It cannot be operated on, she can only have chemo.

Is there any chance at all that with chemo it could go into remission? She is young, healthy and doesn't drink or smoke and is not overweight. Her last smear was clear yet it has now spread.

Only just found out so this all the info I have at the moment.

Does anyone know if there's any chance?

So she has cervix cancer? She should be having radiotherapy (internal and external) as well as having chemotherapy.
Her remission and long term survival depends on exactly what stage 4 means in her case - it can be local spread, or wider into lymph nodes etc

No radio, just chemo. Has spread to stomach also. How can her last smear be clear and now she already has stage 4M?

Sorry, thank you for your reply. I am distraught and not thinking straight.

Unfortunatly, cervix cancer can be very aggressive in young women, and it certainly isn't unknown by any means for this to happen.
When you say stomach, has it spread to her actual stomach, or is it in the lymph nodes around that area?

peritoneum, she is mid 50's, I know that's not especially 'young', but I mean that she is fit and healthy age.

I was diagnosed with stage 3 CC at 51 years old. It was in one lymph node.
I’m just coming up to my 5 years clear.
I had chemo, brachytherapy and radiotherapy.
Do you know why your sister isn’t having other treatments?

So sorry to hear about your sister. The best person to ask is obviously her consultant though cancer charities have advise lines you can call and stats on their sites - they are sadly not very good for stage 4 but they do keep improving.

I have a feeling I read on Jo's Trust site that smears can miss some cervical cancers, its rare but does happen.

Thinking of you and your sister.

That's great news Jjacobb.

Apparently there is nothing more they can offer her, they have been fannying around looking for IBS and other stuff and completely missed it.

Thank you penguin.