Lung Cancer Survival

Question: What are the chances of survival from Lung Cancer? My mother in law has just found out she has lung cancer and a tumor in her lung. She will be getting surgery to remove the tumor tomorrow. What are the chances of everything being okay? Will she have to take radiation or chemotherapy afterwards? I would like to get input from anyone that has gone thru this experience. She is very scared and was a smoker for 22 years. Any information is more than welcome.

Answer: I'm very sorry. Lung cancer has one of the lowest survival rates. That doesn't mean there's no hope, but you have to be realistic. Forecasting the Course of Disease: Lung Cancer Prognosis Overall, fewer than 10% of people with primary lung cancer are alive 5 years after diagnosis. But 5-year survival rates may be as high as 35 to 40% among patients who undergo surgical resection for cancer that has not spread beyond the lung. General estimates of stage-specific median survival times—the point at which 50% of patients are still living—are as follows: Stage 1a - more than 60 months (> 5 years) Stage 1b - about 36 months (3 years) Stage 2a - about 24 months (2 years) Stage 2b - about 20 months (< 2 years) Stage 3a - about 15 months (< 1.5 years) Stage 3b - about 12 months (1 year) Stage 4 - about 8 months (< 1 year)

Question: lung cancer survival rates? my mum was recently diagnosed with lung cancer it was in its early stages, but dut to the postion of the tumor, they had to remove the whole lung. Now i go to to lung cancer sites etc, and they start going by survival rates,? If my mum is told she is at the moment free of cancer, does this mean she will get it again?? what do these actually mean by *survival rates*?? sorry I do mean *survival statistics* to my mum has had treatment, and she is at the moment clear of cancer (with no chemo/radio) what is the chances of her cancer returning? im so fecking scared :(((

Answer: Survival rates refer to the number of people who live for x number of years after treatment. I am sorry for you and your mum having to go through this, but nobody could answer your question except for the surgeon who is doing the check ups and taking follow up x rays. Lung cancer is a tough one to beat, but some people do it. From a web site with all those statistics on... How reliable are cancer statistics? No statistics can tell you what will happen to you. Your cancer is unique. The same type of cancer can grow at different rates in different people. Make sure your mum is well looked after, eats properly and enjoys herself as much as she can. That's the most important thing you can do. It is worrying I know - I went through the same experience. The best advice is live for today.

Question: What is the survival rate for Lung Cancer? Someone in my family is about to diagnosed with lung cancer, and I'm really worried about it. I probably shouldn't ask this as I'm only scaring myself more, but I'm also really curious as to how good the success of surival is, in case I shouldn't be panicking.

Answer: It depends how long the tumor has been there or how big the tumor is. My aunt had lung cancer but didn't find out right away, it was too late an it had already travelled to her brian :'(. She died not even a year later. Don't stress it too much, there are websites you can go on to read more about lung cancer. Just remember, whatever happens, happens for a reason! God bless you and your family! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Question: With lung cancer, what does the 5% survival rate actually me? My dearest friend just found out she has lung cancer in one lung and in some of her lymph nodes. She is having no surgery but is going to through chemo and radiation. Why isnt the lung removed? Is it and indication that she is far deep into the cancer that there is no point to the surgery? They said she has a 5% survival rate. What does that mean in reality? How do I interpret such information and put it in some type of perspective?

Answer: Is this a small cell lung cancer or a non-small cell lung cancer? There are a number of types of lung carcinoma. For small cell types we don't do surgery - just RT and chemotherapy. Why? Because small cell lung cancer is never localized. If it is non-small cell lung cancer and not resectable, Chemotherapy and radiation usually buys some time. 5% survivals are usually measured at five years - meaning that one person in 20 will survive five years from diagnosis. Lung cancers are much better prevented than treated. 85 to 90% are directly related to chronic cigarette smoking. The average person I saw with lung cancer had smoked at least 350,000 cigarettes before diagnosis. Many had smoked half a million cigarettes knowing that lung cancer was a risk. (Warnings have been on the packages for over 40 years now.) But there are people with lung cancers who have never smoked. Maybe your friend is one of these. I have seen people who survived five years - but not many. All you can do is try and hope for the best outcome. Here's a good summation site if you want more information - - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec04/ch057/ch057a.html

Question: the outcome of stage three lung cancer survival rate after radiation and chemo?

Answer: Too many variables to answer this question. Cancer survival depends on the age, overall health, and the response the patient has had to treatment and medical care. All stages of cancer have had survivors. The stages are primarily for the benefit of the doctors to determine the best means of treatment for type of cancer and stage. It is not possible to determine what the survival rate will be based on the information you provided. It's far better anyway to concentrate on the present and not worry about the future may or may not bring. Good luck.

Question: What is the survival rate of someone having lung cancer? My father in law recently was diagnoised with lung cancer. He has two growths in his lower left lung. The size is small, one is 7 mm and the other is 12 mm. he hasn't smoked in 5 yrs or more. What are his chances of full recovery?

Answer: http://www.cancer.gov/cancer_information/cancer_type/lung this is a good site for information on lung cancer.

Question: What are the chances of survival of non small cell lung cancer when diagnosed at Stage 3 B? My mother was diagnosed on March 9th 2007 with stage 3b non small cell lung cancer. She had a PET scan and they found another possible tumor in her neck. The cancer has spead into her lymph nodes and she has undergone almost 3 weeks of radiation and 1 week of chemo. Her white blood cell count is extremely low so they have terminated all treatment until they come back up. She started losing her hair on Thursday and by the end of the day it was all gone.

Answer: Here is a couple of links to staging lung cancer for non-small cell type... http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Lung/Causesdiagnosis/Staging http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Lung/Causesdiagnosis/Staging#9528 here is another link.. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1x_What_Is_Non-Small_Cell_Lung_Cancer.asp Only your mother's oncologist can give you the best idea on a prognosis. Can they give her something like Neulasta shots to bring her white blood cell count up? She can get a wig covered by her insurance (probably) if she has the oncologist write a prescription for a "hair prosthesis". When I did chemo for a different type of cancer , I drank bottled water and saltine crackers and lots of bland high protein foods such as cold hard boiled eggs and Arby's or Rax plain roast beef sandwiches to help keep my blood levels up. (They gave me Neulasta shots to keep the white blood cells up too). You have to stay AHEAD of the nausea with the anti-nausea pills. Once you get sick, you don't even want to look at a pill. Immodium is good to have on hand for any diarrhea from the chemo. Ask the oncologist if this is okay before doing any of this... Support groups are helpful to go to if she is feeling up to it. Check with the American Cancer Society near you or the oncologist's office for information on support groups. Pray...at least she has you to help her. I will say a prayer for her.

Question: What are the survival rates of small cell lung cancer? My grandmother was just diagnosed and it has spread to her liver and her adrenal glands. Is this considered stage 4?

Answer: First off, I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. Well, when it comes to small cell lung cancer, staging is a little different, its either limited stage or extensive stage, ie, just in the lungs, or has spread elsewhere. So, from what you said, she has extensive stage small cell, and the survival rate is probably around 1%. She would have to discuss her options with her oncologist, but with cancers with such a low survival rate, her best chance may be medications that are in clinical trials, though that would have to be a decision she would have to make, as some people dont want to be "guinea pigs" per say.

Question: What is the full survival rate of mesothemila lung cancer?

Answer: According to a study by Dr. Tan, median survival for patients with malignant mesothelioma is 11 months. It is almost always fatal. Median survival based on histologic type is 9.4 months for sarcomatous, 12.5 months for epithelial, and 11 months for mixed. Approximately 15% of patients have an indolent course. His study seems to parallel others with the same result. This type of cancer normally has a bad outcome regardless of the type of treatments administered.

Question: my grandad has just been diagnosed with lung cancer, what is his chance of survival? my grandad is 75 a week on monday and he got diagnosed yesterday. what are his chances of survival? and if there is no chance, how long do we have left with him?

Answer: Ok, ok,ok....before everyone gives this man an automatic death sentence, know what you are talking about first. First, it depends on the type of cancer, then the stage. Staging is another way of stating wether the cancer is in one spot only, where the spot is, and if it has spread to the lymph nodes or other organs. Some cancers are fast growing and some are slow. This plays a big part in choosing what type of chemo is used. Or if it's operable,or if radiation can be used. SOme times 1 is used or others use a combination of surgery, chemo, or radiation. And not in this particular order. SOme cancers are surgically removed. Others, surgery can not be preformed, but, radiation or chemo is used instead. It's very complex and it is always different for everyone. Some people survive for another 8 years or so after diagnosis. Others, it happens very quickly. The best thing to do is talk with your grandpa and find out what his doctors are telling him what his options are. Do not give up hope. Cancer treatment has come a long way. And they are finding out differents to treat it with good results. I know this to be true. I went through this with my dad. Believe me, your grandpa may repsond favorably to his treatment and go into what we call remission where the cancer is contained. If it can be contained, patients can go on an live their lives. Unfortunatley, it does sometimes come back. And then, you start the whole process over again. The point I'm trying to make here is.....just because he has this diagnosis, does not mean he is going to die right away. You don't know that yet and neither do these other people on this board. Good luck and I wish you and your grandpa the best in these tough times.

Question: What are the survival rates with lung cancer if caught early?

Answer: If Caught Early enoughtheirs A good chance with any type of cancer to survive. Even Brain or heart cancer or blood cancer.

Question: What is survival rate for lung cancer that's spread to diaphragm & lymph nodes in neck & chest wall, stage IV? First round of chemotherapy done-report, the cancer is "shrinking" in affected areas. What is the chance of full recovery or survival & for how long?

Answer: I would say that this is good news that the first round of chemo is shrinking the effected areas. Any cancer at stage IV is more difficult to treat because so many different areas are affected. It is not a death sentence, even if it has spred to the lymph nodes. My son had lymph node involvement with multiple abdominal sarcoma. He was diagnosed with a stage IV almost 20 months ago. It took almost three rounds of high dose chemotherapy for him to even respond . . and than it was only 20% shrinkage (for some tumors). By the 5th or 6th round of chemo he had significant shrinkage, tumors had dissappeared in the chest wall and lymph nodes and he was able to undergo debulking surgery which removed 75% of the visible tumors. He continued on high dose chemo, and than underwent an experimental procedure called hypthermic chemoperfusion. During surgery they bathed his abdominal cavity with chemo and scrapped his diaphragm of hundred of tiny seeded tumors. He responded very well. Continued with chemo. We are still fighting this disease, but he now has only two 1 cm nodules on the dome of the liver between the diaphragm left. He's come a long way from that stage IV. So, much depends on the overall health of the patient, the age of the patient, and how they respond to further treatment. Don't worry about survival rates . . just concentrate on how they are doing today . . in the moment . . at this time. There is always hope.

Question: what is the survival rate for those diagnosed with lung cancer? This friend of mine has had surgery 4 months ago and he can't seem to get on top of things. he has additional problems such as respiratory problems and an infection in the lung

Answer: it depends upon the status of the patient, if the cancer is localised or has it metastasized already. but usually, patients live up to 6 months following diagnosis. it really still depends. my friend died 2 weeks after he had been diagnosed. some live for years depending on the patient's threshold and God's plan for us.

Question: what are the survival rate of lung cancer with lymph node involvement?

Answer: You can find out here: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4x_Treatment_Choices_by_Stage_for_Non-Small_Cell_Lung_Cancer.asp?sitearea=

Question: What is the average survival rate of people diagnosed with lung cancer? the most recent one possible please

Answer: Don't listen to the negative responses your getting. You can check online at the American Cancer Society, cancer care has come a long way, I was diagnosed Sept. 2007 went through radiation and chemo treatments, kept a very positive attitude, did what I was told to do, changed some of my eating and drinking habits. I love coffee but couldn't drink it during my chemo. It made me feel sick. Herbal teas were great. I don't know what type of lung cancer you need info on, I had non small cell, and was going into the 3rd stage when I was diagnosed. Essiac tea was great too, you can get it at the Health Food stores.

Question: what is the survival rate for stage IV lung cancer ? My friend was diagnosed 3 weeks ago with lung cancer which has also spread to her bones. can anyone tell me what the average life expectancy is? she is in her early 50's She will be starting chemo this week,she cannot have surgery or radiation.(not sure of reasons why) thankyou

Answer: I am very sorry to say but her life expectancy for this (Stage 1V lung cancer) where it has spread to her bones is in MONTHS. I would say approx 10-15 weeks. God bless. Just be there for her and expect the worst.