Lung cancer: life expectancy

Lung cancer life expectancy: the statistics

Only rarely is lung cancer curable: it is often only discovered when it is already well advanced. A cure is then usually no longer possible. Therefore, lung cancer is the most common in men and the second most common cause of cancer death in women.

The following table summarizes the most important statistics on lung cancer in Germany for 2014: number of new cases, deaths and survival rates (source: Center for Cancer Registry Data):

Lung cancer 2014	Men	women
new cases	34.560	19.280
deaths	29.560	15.524
relative 5-year survival	15 %	20 %
relative 10-year survival	11 %	16 %

With the term Survival rate is the life expectancy of lung cancer (or other serious diseases) described: The survival rates indicate which proportion of sufferers after a certain period (such as 5 or 10 years) is still alive. The data comes from studies. These are average values: they generally allow the life expectancy of a lung cancer patient to be estimated. But they are not sure of how long a patient will live. Many individual factors influence life expectancy (see below).

One distinguishes absolute from relative survival rates: at absolute survival rates all deaths of an observed patient group are counted, including those of other causes. If, for example, a lung cancer patient dies of a sudden heart attack, it is still included in the calculation of the absolute survival rate.

The relative survival on the other hand, only those deaths in the patient group that are actually due to the disease being diagnosed (such as lung cancer) are taken into account. Relative survival rates thus allow a more accurate statement about life expectancy in lung cancer:

Five years after the diagnosis lung cancer still live 15 percent of the male patients and 20 percent of the female. Also for the relative 10-year survival rate applies to lung cancer: The life expectancy in women is slightly higher than in men. Overall, lung cancer has a poor prognosis.

What does life expectancy in lung cancer depend on?

The lung cancer life expectancy of a patient depends mainly on two factors. For one thing Tumor stage at the time of diagnosis Crucial: In the early stages of lung cancer, chances of recovery and life expectancy are generally better than in more advanced stages.

On the other hand also influences the Type of bronchial carcinoma Life expectancy: Lung cancer is divided into two major groups – small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They run differently and also have different chances of recovery.

Small cell bronchial carcinoma: life expectancy

Small cell bronchial carcinoma is less common than the non-small cell type, but more aggressive: without therapy, patients die on average within two to four months of diagnosis. The small cancer cells can divide very quickly. Therefore, this tumor is growing rapidly. In addition, it forms formerly secondary tumors (metastases) in other body regions than the non-small cell lung cancer. Life expectancy and chances of recovery are therefore generally lower in this form of bronchial carcinoma.

It is therefore all the more important to discover and treat a small cell lung cancer as early as possible. In very early stages, the tumor can sometimes be removed surgically. Unfortunately, this only applies to very few patients.

For most patients, small cell lung cancer has already spread too far in the body at the time of its discovery. Then surgery is usually no longer useful or possible. The main treatment is chemotherapy (often combined with radiotherapy):

Small cell bronchial carcinoma usually responds well to this treatment. The drugs are particularly effective in fast-growing cells, including the cells of this form of lung cancer. Survival and life expectancy can be improved a little by treating many patients. Mostly, the tumor is only temporarily slowed down in its growth. After some time, the cancer cells usually usually spread unchecked again.

Non-small cell lung carcinoma: life expectancy

Non-small cell lung cancers are the most common form of a malignant lung tumor. Physicians distinguish several sub-forms of non-small cell lung cancer. Healing chances and life expectancy of these variants are comparable.

Non-small cell lung cancers grow more slowly than small cell ones. Secondary tumors (metastases) in other parts of the body are formed only in advanced stages of cancer. Therefore, in non-small cell lung cancer life expectancy and chances of recovery are generally better than in the small cell type.

In about 25 to 30 percent of patients, surgery is the treatment of first choice. If the tumor is already advanced, the patients are preferably treated with radiotherapy, possibly combined with chemotherapy. Sometimes, in addition to surgery can be.

Regarding survival rate, the same thing as with small cell lung cancer: life expectancy and chances of recovery decrease as the tumor spreads. If it is less than three centimeters and neither lymph nodes nor metastases are present, five years after the diagnosis still about 65 percent of patients live. Once the first metastases have formed, the 5-year survival rate drops to about one percent.

Other influencing factors

There are other factors that affect life expectancy in lung cancer patients. These include, for example, the general state of health of the patient, the consumption of tobacco and any comorbidities (such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes). It can also be seen from the above table that lung cancer has a slightly better prognosis in women than in men.

Is lung cancer curable?

In principle, lung cancer is curable, but only as long as you can completely remove or destroy all cancer cells. This is usually only possible with surgery and possibly chemotherapy and / or radiation. With a sole chemo or radiation rarely succeed in a permanent cure of lung cancer.

Healing chances are therefore mainly patients with a small tumor that has neither lymph nodes nor metastases. In more advanced stages, a bronchial carcinoma can often be forced back with chemotherapy and radiation. Sometimes this works so well that there is no longer any evidence of lung cancer. However, “healing” has not yet been achieved in such cases. Instead, one speaks of a remission, ie a temporary decline. Because in most patients, the lung cancer comes back after some time.

Can patients increase their life expectancy?

Anyone who discovers signs of lung cancer should consult a doctor immediately. The sooner the diagnosis is made and therapy is started, the better the lung cancer life expectancy and chances of recovery. This means: Go to the doctor for non-specific and supposedly harmless symptoms such as coughing, mild fever and fatigue. Above all, heavy smokers should pay attention to such complaints and have them medically clarified at an early stage.

In addition, lung cancer patients should to eat a balanced and healthy diet, This strengthens the general state of health and supports the healing process. The same applies regular exercise and sports, Anyone who is physically active also increases their quality of life and well-being.

For smokers, experts have one more important tip: Stop the smoke! Some patients may think: “It’s too late anyway – I already have it Lung cancer! “. Life expectancy and chances of recovery can be increased but by a smoking cessation.