Lung Cancer Life Expectancy

What Is the Life Expectancy of Lung Cancer?

The life expectancy of lung cancer is how long you are expected to live after a diagnosis.

Lung cancer has an overall life expectancy of less than two years, which is less favorable than many other cancer types. However, treatments may help you outlive the average lung cancer life expectancy and become a long-term survivor.

Lung cancer life expectancy depends on various factors, including your health, the type of lung cancer you have, and the cancer stage. Doctors will take all of these into account when coming up with a treatment plan to help you live longer. Lung cancer has one of the lowest five-year survival rates because cases are often diagnosed at later stages, when the disease is less likely to be curable. People of color who are diagnosed with lung cancer face worse outcomes compared to white Americans, including: less likely to be diagnosed early, less likely to receive surgical treatment, more likely to receive no treatment, and less likely to survive five years.

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Lung Cancer Life Expectancy vs. Survival Rate

Many people confuse the terms “life expectancy” and “survival rate”. While both are important parts of an asbestos lung cancer prognosis, they aren't the same.

• Life expectancy is the amount of time doctors think you'll live after a diagnosis.
• Survival rates measure the percentage of people with the same stage and type of cancer who are still alive after a certain period of time (usually years).

Lung Cancer Life Expectancy by Type

Life expectancy varies with each of the three lung cancer types: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and lung carcinoids. Each life expectancy for the three main types of lung cancer are below, this also takes into account potential resection of the cancer out of the lung.

Life Expectancy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Non Small Cell Lung Cancer is the most common type of lung cancer and is less aggressive than SCLC. The overall life expectancy for NSCLC is 11-13 months, according to a 2020 study.

NSCLC can also be classified into several subtypes, and each subtype has its own life expectancy.

Life expectancies for NSCLC subtypes include:

• Adenocarcinoma: 25.82 months
• Large cell carcinoma: 11-14.2 months
• Squamous cell carcinoma: 10.1-12.9 months

Small Cell Lung Cancer Life Expectancy

Small cell lung cancer is much less common than NSCLC and is typically more aggressive. The life expectancy for SCLC is 7-16 months.

You can live longer with SCLC if you're diagnosed before the cancer has spread. Catching and diagnosing SCLC early is imperative.

Lung Carcinoid Life Expectancy

Lung carcinoid tumors are very rare but are much easier to treat compared to NSCLC or SCLC.

Patients with lung carcinoid tumors have an average life expectancy of 5.6 years, according to a 2021 report published in Lung Cancer.

Life Expectancy for Asbestos Lung Cancer

Patients with asbestos related lung cancer have the same life expectancy as those with lung cancer not caused by asbestos.

Asbestos exposure can cause any of the other types of lung cancer listed above, with your life expectancy varying based on which type you have.

Lung Cancer Life Expectancy by Stage

These statistics are based on historical data and represent average outcomes. Individual experiences can vary significantly based on factors such as overall health, age, specific treatments received, and response to therapy. Many patients live longer than these estimates, particularly with advancing treatments.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

5-Year Survival Rates by Stage

• Localized (Stage I):
  • Approximately 60-65% of patients survive 5 years or more
  • Early detection significantly improves outcomes
  • Surgery is often a curative option
• Regional (Stage II and IIIA):
  • Stage II: 30-35% 5-year survival rate
  • Stage IIIA: 15-25% 5-year survival rate
  • Combined treatment approaches often used
• Advanced (Stage IIIB/IV):
  • Stage IIIB: 5-10% 5-year survival rate
  • Stage IV: 2-7% 5-year survival rate
  • Treatment focuses on extending life and maintaining quality of life

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

Survival Rates by Stage

• Limited Stage:
  • Median survival: 16-24 months
  • 5-year survival rate: 15-25%
  • Best outcomes with combined chemotherapy and radiation
• Extensive Stage:
  • Median survival: 6-12 months
  • 5-year survival rate: 1-5%
  • Treatment typically focuses on symptom management and life extension

Factors Affecting Survival

1. Patient-Related Factors
   • Age and overall health
   • Presence of other medical conditions
   • Performance status
   • Smoking status
2. Treatment-Related Factors
   • Access to specialized care
   • Treatment adherence
   • Response to therapy
   • Availability of clinical trials
3. Disease-Related Factors
   • Specific type of lung cancer
   • Genetic mutations present
   • Location and extent of spread
   • Rate of disease progression

Recent Improvements

• Immunotherapy has significantly improved survival for some patients
• Targeted therapies for specific mutations show promising results
• Advanced surgical techniques have improved outcomes for early-stage cases
• New combination therapy approaches are extending survival times
• Clinical trials continue to develop innovative treatments

Support During Treatment

Regardless of stage, comprehensive support is available through:

• Medical teams specializing in lung cancer
• Palliative care specialists
• Support groups and counseling services
• Nutritional and rehabilitation services
• Family and caregiver resources

Looking Forward

Cancer research continues to advance rapidly, with new treatments regularly being developed. Current survival statistics may not reflect the impact of the latest treatment options.

What Affects Lung Cancer Life Expectancy?

Besides type and stage, other risk factors can affect your lung cancer life expectancy.

These factors include:

• Age at diagnosis of lung cancer
• Previous overall health of the patient
• Smoking Status
• Lifestyle factors such as diet and nutrition
• Support system from family members
• Individual Resilience

Your Doctor can explain how unique factors in your case may impact your asbestos lung cancer life expectancy.

How Treatments Improve Lung Cancer Life Expectancy

Arguably the best way to improve your life expectancy is to undergo lung cancer treatments. These treatments allow doctors to remove or shrink cancer tumors, which may give you more time to spend with your family.

Commonly used lung cancer treatments include:

• Surgery removes the lung cancer tumor along with part or all of a lung. NSCLC patients who received surgery lived for 76.7 months on average, according to a 2023 review of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data.
• Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Patients with late-stage NSCLC lived for over 9 months on average when chemotherapy was used alone, as noted in a 2023 study from The Lancet. In addition, chemotherapy may help patients live even longer when used with other treatments.
• Immunotherapy boosts the immune system to fight cancer. Patients with metastatic NSCLC lived for 13.37 months on average when they received both immunotherapy and chemotherapy, according to a 2023 Biomedicines report.
• Radiation therapy uses energy beams from protons and X-rays to kill cancer cells. Patients with advanced SCLC who received radiation and immunotherapy had a median survival of 11 months in a 2021 review of National Cancer Database statistics.
• Targeted therapy blocks mutations found in cancer cells to kill them. According to a 2023 review of studies published in Cancer Cell International, this treatment can help patients live cancer-free for a few months to several years.

Doctors typically combine different treatments to remove as much of the cancer as possible, which may boost a patient's life expectancy. 

If you or a loved one is a painter diagnosed with mesothelioma, consult with a specialized attorney to explore your options. With proper legal representation, you can hold negligent parties accountable and secure the compensation you deserve. If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, contact Boling Law Firm right away. They can help you get compensated for your medical expenses, lost wages and other damages associated with this deadly disease. Call us at 1-800-799-7914