Presumably the most common inquiry we are asked is “what is the stage 4 lung cancer life expectancy?” It is obvious that since 40 percent of people have already progressed to the last stage of lung cancer when they are first diagnosed. Before we address this question, though it is essential to talk a little bit about how the answer, we are talking about figures though, is derived. Basically, the stage 4 lung cancer life expectancy can differ considerably among different people.
Influential Variables in Stage 4 Lung Cancer Life Expectancy
Basically a number of variables are at play. Some of these variables include the followings:
Your lung cancer type and growth location. Stage 4 of lung cancer comprises of several lung cancer types and covers cancers which have spread to only one particular region or those which have spread extensively. Survival can also be determined by the genetic characteristics of the tumor; with cancers which have targetable mutations, such as ROS1 mutations, ALK-positive lung cancer, and EGFR mutations being more likely to trigger response to the newer targeted therapies for the very cancer. Also age is influential. Younger people tend to have better life expectancy than do older people with lung cancer. In this case, lung cancer in young adults is different in various ways. The other influential bearing is your sex. The life expectancy for woman with lung cancer is higher at every stage of lung cancer. Your general health at the time of diagnosis will exert impact on the overall prognosis. Being healthy overall at the time of your diagnosis is linked to a longer life expectancy, and the greater the ability to withstand the treatments which may extend survival. Next, the way your respond to any given treatment is influential. The side effects of treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy can vary among different people, and may limit the ability to tolerate treatment. The other health conditions are the last bearing on patient’s life expectancy. Health conditions, such as the presence of emphysema may lower the life expectancy of stage 4 lung cancer.
The Statistics
In addition to the differences between people, it is also essential to bear in mind that statistics are frequently based on people that are treated a few years back. For instance, the latest statistics we have for lung cancer from last year are based on those who were diagnosed between 2001 and 2011. Since that time novel treatments have been granted for those that have been diagnosed with lung cancer, and even more and more treatments are being researched in clinical trial context. That being said, the median life expectancy of stage 4 non-small cell lung is merely around 8 months. In this regard, the time at which 50 percent of the patients are still alive and 50 percent have actually passed away. The five-year survival rate, which is the percent of people that are expected to survive 5 years after the diagnoses of stage 4 lung cancer, is only 4 percent.
