Patients with metastatic (stage 4) non-small cell lung cancer that's spread to distant organs or regions of the body have a five-year relative survival rate of 8 percent, according to ACS. Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer that has spread regionally has a five-year relative survival rate of 37 percent.
Additionally, the median survival time for those with stage 4 lung cancer is four months, meaning that 50% of patients will be alive only four months after their diagnosis. Sadly, this means that most patients experience a terminal stage 4 lung cancer prognosis.
A diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer indicates that the cancer has spread to the other lung or more distant parts of the body. It is the final stage of lung cancer. There is currently no cure, but certain treatments can prolong life.
Prognosis. Squamous cell lung cancer usually is diagnosed after the disease has spread, so the prognosis is often guarded. The survival rate is significantly higher if the disease is detected and treated early. Even when surgery and other therapies are initially successful, squamous cell lung cancer can return.
Life Expectancy With Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma
Life expectancy is generally higher for those with early-stage squamous cell carcinoma — these patients can possibly live for many years if they receive aggressive treatments. Those diagnosed with late-stage carcinoma might only live for a few months.
Squamous cell lung cancer can spread to multiple sites, including the brain, spine, and other bones, adrenal glands, and liver. Due to the lack of targeted therapies for SCC and the late stage of detection, the prognosis is often poor for these patients.
The most common chemotherapy drug combination used to treat stage 4 non−small cell lung cancer is cisplatin or carboplatin with gemcitabine. Other chemotherapy combinations that may be used include: cisplatin or carboplatin and docetaxel (Taxotere)
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
These cancers are the most aggressive form of lung cancer and usually affect smokers. SCLC spreads rapidly, often before people notice symptoms. The cancer usually starts in the central airways of the lungs (bronchi).
SCC metastasis is generally associated with a poor prognosis with a 3-year disease-free survival rate in adult patients of 56% (3).
Most often, the platinum-based drugs cisplatin or carboplatin are combined with another chemotherapy drug for squamous cell lung cancer treatment. An example of this is cisplatin in combination with gemcitabine.
With a median follow-up of 47 months, the median overall survival (OS) from diagnosis of stage 4 disease was 6.8 years, indicating that 50% of patients were alive 6.8 years after diagnosis versus only 2% being alive after 5 years.
At Stage 4, which is the most advanced stage, squamous cell carcinoma has spread to at least one distant organ (for example, the brain, the lungs or another area of the skin).
Patients with metastatic (stage 4) non-small cell lung cancer that's spread to distant organs or regions of the body have a five-year relative survival rate of 8 percent, according to ACS. Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer that has spread regionally has a five-year relative survival rate of 37 percent.
Studies have shown that lung cancer doubling time can vary, from 229 days to 647 days in one study, depending upon the type. 7 It's possible that some types of lung cancer progress within weeks to months, while others may take years to grow.
Just 19% of those diagnosed at stage 4 survive more than 12 months. But now more than ever, those living with lung cancer are living better, longer lives thanks to the power of research and advancements in treatment.
Metastasis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is rare. However, certain tumor and patient characteristics increase the risk of metastasis. Prior studies have demonstrated metastasis rates of 3-9%, occurring, on average, one to two years after initial diagnosis [6].
Death from basal and squamous cell skin cancers is uncommon. It's thought that about 2,000 people in the US die each year from these cancers, and that this rate has been dropping in recent years.
Untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can destroy nearby healthy tissue, spread to the lymph nodes or other organs, and may be fatal, although this is uncommon.
The mean and median time between chemotherapy discontinuation and death were 93 days (± 97) and 65 days (IQR: 36.5-109), respectively.
Adenocarcinoma is usually found in the outer parts of the lung and is more likely to be found before it has spread. People with a type of adenocarcinoma called adenocarcinoma in situ (previously called bronchioloalveolar carcinoma) tend to have a better outlook than those with other types of lung cancer.
Lung cancer life expectancy without treatment is usually poor. NSCLC patients who did not receive treatment only had an average life expectancy of 7.15 months, according to the medical journal Systematic Reviews. Untreated SCLC patients live for 2-4 months, as noted by a study from the journal Breathe.
Stage IV. Stage IV means the lung cancer has spread to more than 1 area in the other lung, the fluid surrounding the lung or the heart, or distant parts of the body through the bloodstream. Once cancer cells get into the blood, the cancer can spread anywhere in the body.