Lung Cancer (cont.)
What is the prognosis (outcome) of lung cancer?
The prognosis of lung cancer refers to the chance for recovery and is dependent
upon the localization and size of the tumor, the presence of symptoms, the type
of lung cancer, and the overall health status of the patient.
SCLC has the most aggressive growth of all lung cancers, with a median survival
time of only two to four months after diagnosis when untreated. (That is, by two
to four months,
half of all patients have died.) However, SCLC is also the type of lung cancer
most responsive to radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Because SCLC spreads
rapidly and is usually disseminated at the time of diagnosis, methods such as
surgical removal or localized radiation therapy are less effective in treating
this tumor type. However, when chemotherapy is used alone or in combination with
other methods, survival time can be prolonged four- to fivefold. Of all patients
with SCLC, only 5%-10% are alive five years after diagnosis. Most of those who
survive have limited stage (LS) SCLC.
In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), results of standard treatment are
generally poor in all but the most localized cancers that can be surgically
removed. However, in stage I cancers that can be completely removed, the five-year
survival rate can approach 75%. Radiation therapy can produce a cure in a small
minority of patients with NSCLC and leads to relief of symptoms in most patients. In
advanced-stage disease, chemotherapy offers modest improvements in survival
time, although overall survival rates are poor.
The overall prognosis for lung cancer is poor when compared with some other cancers. Survival rates for lung cancer are generally lower than those for most cancers,
with an overall five-year survival rate for lung cancer of about 16% compared to
65% for colon cancer, 89% for breast cancer, and
over 99% for prostate cancer.
Next: How can lung cancer be prevented? »
 |
 |
From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
|
|
- CT Scan - CAT Scan / CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) information. Learn what a CAT Scan is, why it is performed, risks, and how to prepare for a CAT scan Source:MedicineNet
- Chemotherapy - Explains chemotherapy, a drug treatment to kill cancer cells. Article includes descriptions, uses, and side effects, and care support. Source:Government
- Early Cancer Detection And Treatment - Learn about cancer detection - symptoms, exams, diagnosis and treatment for different types of cancer on MedicineNet.com Source:Government
- Read 492 more Lung Cancer related articles ...
|
| |
|
Specialty RSS
