Lung Cancer Survival Rates
The term "lung cancer survival rates" usually refers to the length of time a person can be expected to survive after they have been diagnosed with lung cancer. In general, lung cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer. Most lung cancer survival rates are fairly low, especially when compared with other cancers.
Lung cancer survival rates are lower than the survival rates for other types of cancer because a person may have lung cancer for quite some time before it is discovered. Unfortunately, the symptoms of lung cancer are almost nonexistent until it reaches the more advanced stages. By then, however, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, and that is why lung cancer is frequently fatal.
Lung cancer survival rates are based on the type and severity of the lung cancer at the time of diagnosis. There are two different types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer survival rates are not as good as those found with non-small cell lung cancer that is detected early.
According to the Mayo Clinic, overall lung cancer survival rates are as follows:
• 40 percent of lung cancer patients live at least 1 year following diagnosis.
• 30 percent of lung cancer patients live at least 2 years after diagnosis.
• 15 percent of lung cancer patients are still alive 5 years after they are diagnosed.
This data does not take into consideration the type or stage of lung cancer.
When lung cancer survival rates are reported according to the type and stage of lung cancer, the earliest stages of lung cancer have the best prognosis for survival. With lung cancer caught in its early stages - non-small cell stages 1 and 2, or small cell lung cancer limited stage - the survival rates are actually quite good. Non small-cell lung cancer that is diagnosed before it has the chance to spread far from the lungs has a survival rate of up to 70 percent.
At these levels, the cancer is still just in the lungs so the tumor can usually be removed with surgery, which increases the chances that the patient will be totally cured. Lung cancer patients that do survive early stage lung cancer must be monitored literally for the rest of their lives. This is to make sure that the cancer does not return, and if it does, to catch it as early as possible.
When lung cancer reaches later stages - non-small cell stages 3 and 4, and small cell extensive stage - that means that the cancer has spread. Once the cancer spreads, it becomes difficult to control and surgery is not a viable option. The further the cancer spreads, the less optimistic the survival rate becomes.
Stage 4 lung cancer survival rates, as reported by the Mayo Clinic, are as follows:
• 15-35 percent of patients who get chemotherapy live 1 year.
• 10 percent of patients who do not get chemotherapy live 1 year.
• 2 percent of stage 4 lung cancer patients live 5 years.